An Appeal to the International Institutions to Activate Efficient Programmes for Rescuing Refugees at Sea
To:
Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Nils Muiznieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Member of the European Parliament, Council of Europe, Council of European Ministers, European Commission
The Governments of Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Spain and
Civil Society
Companies that produces vehicles, boats, aircraft and marine monitoring systems
Rome (Italy), September 10, 2012
We, the undersigned, were sad to learn that on September 7th, 2012 dozens of refugees lost their lives in the waters that separate North Africa from the Island of Lampedusa (Italy). It is the umpteenth tragedy involving desperate people fleeing from persecution and poverty among the indifference of the rest of the world. Over the past 20 years more than 20,000 refugees from African nations have perished in the short 127- km stretch of sea that separates desperate human beings from the hope of a safe refuge. For years the undersigned have been calling on the Italian government and international institutions to start a programme for the monitoring and rescue of refugees at sea, a programme that can be extended at the same time to Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Spain.
As a result of this request, we have suffered intimidation and censorship by the media. However, we are making another heartfelt appeal to the authorities this petition is addressed to: the civilized world cannot sit back and accept this slaughter that is destroying (along with so many lives) the right to life, the security and well-being that belongs to children, women, persecuted people, to all human beings, without distinction. Making the refugees’ crossing safer is a feat of civilization which the European Union, the United Nations and civil society cannot shirk from.
Until now, the dangers of the „journey of hope“ have been used by governments to scare people who under take this solution in an attempt to flee from a tragic existence. It is unfair, a true crime against humanity, and it is time to put a stop to it. To prevent these tragedies taking place at sea, the institutions have to make boats available, as well as aircraft and helicopters, patrols, maritime surveillance and a 24-hour rescue service, equipped with thermal cameras, radar and advanced technology. The rescue service would require fast helicopters, capable of rescuing and transporting large numbers of refugees, and monitoring systems on the ground to constantly keep an eye on the areas of the sea most affected by migration. It is important that advanced facilities are put in place to support refugees, including the establishment of offshore platforms that can be used by damaged boats and vessels that have gone adrift. Human life is the most precious thing that civilization is called on to protect, and the current situation, with the present inadequate sea rescue organization, is a source of guilt and shame for the international institutions, governments, civil society and all those who are able to improve the safety of refugees but do nothing about it. That is why we are renewing this appeal in the hope of stirring people’s conscience. We wish to work together for a new era that would raise our civilization to a higher level in which all persecuted and poor people – and all the human beings who risk their lives in search of protection – are considered brothers and sisters, and every life lost during these tragic crossings represents a loss for us all.
Thanking you for your attention and everything you can do to save lives,
EveryOne Group
Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC)
NGO Gandhi
Contacts:
EveryOne Group
info@everyonegroup.com
http://www.everyonegroup.com/
+39 3343449180 :: +39 331 3585406
Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change (EYSC)
