22/10/2024 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The report presented by Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL) to the Migration Committee, meeting in Ljubljana on 16-17 October, highlights the importance of a European approach of migration, not limited to Italy alone, despite the substantial number of individuals arriving in Europe through Italy. It underlines that this co-operation implies an equitable distribution of migrants throughout the European continent, and mentions the necessity of further assistance to Italy, particularly for Lampedusa and Sicily as a whole, to ensure a human rights-based harmonious and comprehensive approach to migration.
This report follows a fact-finding visit carried out on 16-18 September 2024 by a parliamentary delegation chaired by Mr Gavan, whose objective was to examine the situation of migrants as well as their defenders in the island of Lampedusa and in Sicily overall.
The delegation welcomed in the report the positive co-operation between public and private entities, while raising concerns regarding the conditions at the Lampedusa hotspot and calling for significant improvements. It commended the Italian reception system regarding the implementation of small reception centres, which prevents the formation of isolated communities.
In terms of search and rescue operations at sea, the delegation welcomed the work carried out by the coast guards of Lampedusa and the other actors involved during the rescue and disembarkation mission in Lampedusa on 16 September 2024. While underlining such laudable actions taken to save lives at sea, the parliamentarians called on a better co-operation and coordination across stakeholders.
The delegation warned of the trend of adopting or modifying immigration laws in different member states, which seem to be moving towards more restrictive measures regarding the reception of migrants. In this context, it raised serious concerns about bilateral agreements that involve the outsourcing of migration management to countries outside the EU or Europe.
Finally, the report suggests that the Assembly continue to explore different approaches to address the findings of this fact-finding visit, with the goal of improving the situations of migrants and refugees in Sicily and other European hotspots where there is a significant arrival of individuals.
In addition to its Chairperson, Mr Gavan, the delegation was composed of Paulo Pisco (Portugal, SOC), Birgir Thόrarinsson (Iceland, EPP/CD) and Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC).