18 Dicember 2013
 |
| naked refugees in detention camp in Lampedusa being washed with cold water pump |
The video shows refugees getting undressed and being washed by water pumps by some men, presumably social workers of some "cooperativa", italian word for "welcoming and acceptance facilities/company", in the middle of the yard of the Center for detention, identification and rejection of refugees in Lampedusa (CIE). the human beings humiliated so, were secretly filmed by another refugee, a Syrian man. Whom, as soon as the keepers of the Center found out provided to punishing him. No food, water or cigarettes for him for a day. Who knows if the punishment is over him.
At the sight of such images Europe was shocked. the Peace Nobel Europe could not accept such inhumane conditions. Immediately , the High Commissioner's office demanded an investigation regarding the organization,management and standards with in these "prisons at open sky" as we call them here in Italy. I believe it wouldn't be out of order to call these places prisons. Even if as far they are the first form of "accoglienza" italian word for "welcoming and acceptance ".
Link after the jump.
The link to the video (RAI website)
Such places are present in various points of Italy. As are present in other nation or are even under contractions. European commission stresses the fact if Italy doesn't push up its standards of welcoming locations, the 30 Million Euro that have been destined for the case of immigration in Italy will be frozen. Well the money certainly doesn't give any real comfort to the refugees, looking at w they are treated, as i am digging deeper as to who really benefits from these funds. NGOs mostly, including the one that is running the CIE. The local police of Lampedusa are investigating. One of the highest ranking officers says that the way these man are treated brings back bad memories, memories of the second world war life in Europe. Yes. Lets not forget, European Union is still handling old wounds, but seems to be short minded regarding detention center.
The way these victims of war are being handled is inhuman, and to put it in Eu Commissioner's spokesman "uncivil". "The 30 million euro", he goes on saying "are given to Italy with the purpose to upgrade standards as for managing the migrants situation". I suppose bombarding refugees with cold water pumps is their idea of management, as well as keeping open these detention centers. Here we find ourselves blaming Italy.
Yes Italy is to blame. But so is Europe.
Even more than a simple and corrupt nation as Italy. Europe has and always had the responsibility to uphold the basic human rights of these refugees. Instead it was chosen to pour more millions in the pockets of greedy "cooperative" a form of social assistance company who are endorsed great amounts of money without, often checking out properly the workers background and skills. As a result the crew and administrators of these cooperative companies whose primary goal should be the well being of the asylum seekers.
This very important TV channel by showing the situation of the refugees in such a way for the first time in years since its existence might be read as a sign of remorse on the Italian media's part as they have been silent all these years, when these kind of humiliations could have been avoided if they only chose to show the Italian public what has being going on for a while now. Let us hope that this is just a beginning of the waking of consciences in Italy and in the high offices of EU. Lives are at stake , by the million. Eritrean women, men and elders are waiting to be let free of the detention centers and given proper accommodation A second chance at life and to help others like them. They are not in need of charity, but of respect and legal assistance.
These refugees, these Eritrean where in one way or another forced to live home, then the crossing of the dessert in Sudan, Libya, imprisonment, ransom demands, same as in the Sinai desert. Rape and torture. Under-age and children, young and elderly same fate. Some make it to Italy. And this it the concept of acceptance they find. and then to be stripped once more of their dignity to be treated with no respect. They are just the money machine for these "cooperatives". Respect is an optional that isn't mandatory.
Italy has to remember its history of not very long ago of how migrants were treated on their way to the United States looking for a better future, escaping famine and war. Respect. Let there be memory where now there is only hollowness.
For more info:
Public EEPA document on sinai traffic
Link after the jump.
The link to the video (RAI website)
Such places are present in various points of Italy. As are present in other nation or are even under contractions. European commission stresses the fact if Italy doesn't push up its standards of welcoming locations, the 30 Million Euro that have been destined for the case of immigration in Italy will be frozen. Well the money certainly doesn't give any real comfort to the refugees, looking at w they are treated, as i am digging deeper as to who really benefits from these funds. NGOs mostly, including the one that is running the CIE. The local police of Lampedusa are investigating. One of the highest ranking officers says that the way these man are treated brings back bad memories, memories of the second world war life in Europe. Yes. Lets not forget, European Union is still handling old wounds, but seems to be short minded regarding detention center.
The way these victims of war are being handled is inhuman, and to put it in Eu Commissioner's spokesman "uncivil". "The 30 million euro", he goes on saying "are given to Italy with the purpose to upgrade standards as for managing the migrants situation". I suppose bombarding refugees with cold water pumps is their idea of management, as well as keeping open these detention centers. Here we find ourselves blaming Italy.
Yes Italy is to blame. But so is Europe.
Even more than a simple and corrupt nation as Italy. Europe has and always had the responsibility to uphold the basic human rights of these refugees. Instead it was chosen to pour more millions in the pockets of greedy "cooperative" a form of social assistance company who are endorsed great amounts of money without, often checking out properly the workers background and skills. As a result the crew and administrators of these cooperative companies whose primary goal should be the well being of the asylum seekers.
This very important TV channel by showing the situation of the refugees in such a way for the first time in years since its existence might be read as a sign of remorse on the Italian media's part as they have been silent all these years, when these kind of humiliations could have been avoided if they only chose to show the Italian public what has being going on for a while now. Let us hope that this is just a beginning of the waking of consciences in Italy and in the high offices of EU. Lives are at stake , by the million. Eritrean women, men and elders are waiting to be let free of the detention centers and given proper accommodation A second chance at life and to help others like them. They are not in need of charity, but of respect and legal assistance.
These refugees, these Eritrean where in one way or another forced to live home, then the crossing of the dessert in Sudan, Libya, imprisonment, ransom demands, same as in the Sinai desert. Rape and torture. Under-age and children, young and elderly same fate. Some make it to Italy. And this it the concept of acceptance they find. and then to be stripped once more of their dignity to be treated with no respect. They are just the money machine for these "cooperatives". Respect is an optional that isn't mandatory.
Italy has to remember its history of not very long ago of how migrants were treated on their way to the United States looking for a better future, escaping famine and war. Respect. Let there be memory where now there is only hollowness.
For more info:
Public EEPA document on sinai traffic
Proud of u Eden! Keep up the good job!
ReplyDelete