Mediterranean migrant deaths: EU holds urgent talks

[Surya Gayatri]

Source: BBC News

Some southern European nations say the EU's credibility is now at stake after last year's decision to scale back search and rescue efforts.

The UN says the North Africa-Italy route has become the world's deadliest.

"We have a political and moral duty to exercise our role. The Mediterranean is our sea and we have to act together as Europeans. It is also [in] our interest, [in that] of our credibility; the European Union was built and is built around the protection of human rights, human dignity and the life of human people - we need to be consistent in that."

"We have what is possibly becoming a failed state at our doorstep. We have criminal gangs [in Libya] having a heyday organising these trips in rickety boats... We need to get the Libyan factions together to form some sort of government of almost national unity."


Rescuers help children disembark in Sicily after a merchant vessel rescued about 100 migrants on Sunday in a different disaster

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32377768

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Human smugglers are taking advantage of the political crisis in Libya to use it as a launching point for boats carrying migrants who are fleeing violence or economic hardship in Africa and the Middle East.

Glad to see that EU leaders are finally going to face this crisis head on.

As EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: "We have a political and moral duty to exercise our role. The Mediterranean is our sea and we have to act together as Europeans."

[marym625]

1. was about to post NYT article

If you're interested

E.U. Ministers Set to Discuss Immigration After Ship Capsizes

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/world/europe/european-union-immigration-migrant-ship-capsizes.html?referrer=

This is so horrific. I can't believe things like this are still happening in the world, where people have no place to go.

Between 700 and 950 people feared dead and only 24 bodies found. Senseless, needless death. I hope that the E.U. comes to a decision that will change this.

And where are we? What has the US done to help these refugees? I realize that this is not our sea but it's not like we don't know what is happening or have the capability to help.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. Exactly, where is the US's voice in all of this? The EU

is mobilizing as we speak to try to get a handle on this catastrophe.

[marym625]

3. It reminds me of when I was a kid

And all the refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia in the little boats dying. And even from Cuba. I know that eventually the US paid for or accepted many of the refugees from Vietnam, but not until after tens of thousands died. And even then, many were held for extended periods or sent back.

Worse, the people from Europe trying to escape the Nazis during WWII. So many could have been saved

Why are we so determined to "help" with war and not with the aid needed? I truly hope we step up immediately and join with the E.U. In this crisis

[Surya Gayatri]

4. You know why, mary. War is hugely profitable for TPTB.

Rescuing and assisting our fellow humans? Not so much.

[marym625]

5. It makes me sick.

Just physically ill.

[Surya Gayatri]

6. Me too. I get a knot in my solar plexus just thinking of it.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. I just posted a thread in GD re - US Citizens thoughts

IE What would each of us be willing to call our Member of the House and Senators and say? We kind of started this - with our involvement in some and not other countries over there. *sigh*

[marym625]

8. Thank you, JAG.

I will go check it out