Following more migrants dying off the coast of Italy, should we do more to help?

With desperate immigrants dying during the journey to the EU, does the international community have a responsibility to help and should the EU allow them in?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31316535

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

william walker

Not much we at the UN can do here I think. We can work with the African nations to help warn their populations about the danger of the journey and the abuse they may suffer. We could provide support to people who have been unable to make it to Europe. However the EU doesn't want more immigrants, it could do much to improve its policy though. Things like a greater effort to create stability in Libya, more naval patrols in the Mediterranean, even the towing back of boats to Africa.

The UN could setup yet another refugee camp in Tunisia where the immigrants can be set, but I don't see the point which resources being stretched thin as it is.

Reply 2

Aph

The Netherlands feels that a united EU would would better be able to deal with this issue as more resources could be pooled from currently maintaining inter-EU borders. So as such we would urge our fellow EU members to consider unification to keep our borders strong and stop these needless deaths.

Reply 3

username1524603

Original post by Aph

New Zealand:

A completely unified EU wouldn't prevent the deaths. People would still be wanting to enter the EU from the African continent. The only way to stop these deaths would be a reputable ferry service bringing them to the EU.

Reply 4

Aph

Original post by Nigel Farage MEP

Whilst we agree it couldn't completely stop death it would allow to better pool resources to keep the Mediterranean safe.

Reply 5

username1524603

Original post by Aph

Whilst we agree it couldn't completely stop death it would allow to better pool resources to keep the Mediterranean safe.

What do you do with the resources?

Reply 6

Aph

Original post by Nigel Farage MEP

What do you do with the resources?

Boarder control personnel ect. More ships too.

Reply 7

william walker

Original post by Aph

Boarder control personnel ect. More ships too.

The Italians had a rather extensive operation for about a year. But they didn't want to maintain it and asked for other EU nations to cover some of their costs. If the Italians didn't have this option, they would have been forced to maintain the operation themselves. So from this we see the EU doesn't help, in fact it hinders any attempt to help these people.

Also do you know what you think would be needed in some detail when you say border control personnel and more ships? Since the Italians are the only ones with a navy that is actually been affected by these boat loads of immigrants why should the Greeks, French, Spanish help? Let alone the Northern European states.

Of course the serious answer is sending in combat forces to stabilize Libya and support the government their. However nobody has any strategic interests in Libya anymore, from Europe anyway.

Reply 8

Aph

Original post by william walker

I suggested that the EU states merge so that everyone has interest in maintaining this boarder...

and another war in Syria is not desireable.

Reply 9

william walker

Original post by Aph

I suggested that the EU states merge so that everyone has interest in maintaining this boarder...

and another war in Syria is not desireable.

But this isn't the case and isn't going to happen. So why even put it forward.

No, you send supplies and troops to the Libyan government, if needs be you use your own forces to support the government in Libya enforce its rite. This will be limited and likely in the center and south of Libya.