An Amnesty International report released July 5 argues that the soaring death toll in the central Mediterranean “and the horrific abuses faced by thousands of refugees and migrants in Libyan detention centers are clearly linked to failing EU policies.”
The report goes on to say that by ceding the lion’s share of responsibility for search and rescue to non-governmental organizations “and by increasing cooperation with the Libyan coastguard, European governments are failing to prevent drownings and turning a blind eye to abuse, including torture and rape.”
Meanwhile, the Guardian reported on July 5 that the EU on July 6 “will urge European countries to give shelter to more refugees from Africa to ease the pressure on Italy, as record numbers of people attempt the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean” (The Guardian, July 5, 2017).
Italy recently threatened to close its ports to refugee rescue ships.
The Immigration and Refugee News Digest 