aedh | 13.06.2018
Brussels, 13 June 2018 – Stupefied and worried by this modern Exodus, we see on the horizon the infinite cabotage of this boat which status of lifeguard becomes one of burden. Although Rinaldo Melucci and Luigi de Magistris, the respective mayors of Taranto and Naples, declared to be ready to welcome Aquarius migrants, the new Italian government, largely committed to the xenophobic and racist ideas of Matteo Salvini, flex its weak muscles and refuses the entry of Aquarius into Italian ports. AEDH knew that nothing was to be expected from a government whose partners had announced during the election campaign that it would not respect human rights.
Today, the new Spanish government announced that Spain is ready to welcome the „shipwrecked persons just fighting for their rights“ in the port of Valencia. AEDH welcomes this act and hopes that it will set an example for all Member States. AEDH recommends this welcome to be unconditional, and that having done the main thing, i.e. save lives, the government of Pedro Sanchez stands out by offering dignified conditions of stay. We would also like this new government to put an end to the push-back operations of migrants coming to Ceuta and Melilla.