Aid workers on Lampedusa, a key entry point for asylum seekers into Europe, are criticizing Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan as they brace for another influx of arrivals and tragic deaths at sea. Aid workers of Lampedusa urge European governments to create more safe pathways for refugees if they truly want to deter dangerous sea journeys.
James Cleverly, the home secretary, made a brief visit to Lampedusa, coinciding with the day the prime minister’s Rwanda deportation bill became law.
Last year, Lampedusa, with its small population of around 6,000, witnessed approximately 110,000 arrivals, while the Mediterranean saw over 3,000 deaths. Rescue boats operated by charities and the Italian coastguard are preparing for another challenging summer, stocking up on supplies including life jackets for children and body bags for those who don’t survive the perilous journey.
Austin Cooper,
Austin Cooper, a mediator and care coordinator for the charity Sea Watch, expressed skepticism about Cleverly’s intentions and the effectiveness of the Rwanda plan. He noted a decrease in arrivals from Tunisia this year but an uptick in fatalities, attributing it to various factors including adverse weather conditions and the lack of seaworthy vessels for the crossing.
Cooper also raised concerns about the EU‘s strategy of supporting authoritarian governments in North Africa to disrupt migration routes, suggesting it may be contributing to the decline in crossings but potentially at the cost of human lives.
Another worker for an international NGO, who asked not to be named, said Cleverly had misunderstood the island’s relationship with migrants.
“The history of Lampedusa is about migration. We are migrants, we welcome migrants. We do not think it is right or fair to send them to Africa,” they said.
Cleverly flew into the island by helicopter for a two-and-a-half-hour tour of a police boat and the empty detention facilities used to hold new arrivals.
His message was simple: Italy , like the UK, is a sought-after destination by migrants, and both governments are coming up with innovative policies to stop the boats.