Thursday, 24 October 2013 - Strasbourg
Debate
Pino Arlacchi (S&D ), in writing . − According to the International Organisation for Migration, since 1993, more then 20 000 persons died at sea. I believe that Lampedusa should be a turning point for Europe and that the only way to prevent another tragedy is to adopt a coordinated approach based on solidarity and responsibility, with the support of common instruments. The EU should do everything possible to save the lives of people in danger. For this reason with this resolution we welcome the intention of the European Commission to establish a task force on the issue of migratory flows in the Mediterranean.
In addition the EU must continue to offer humanitarian, financial and political assistance in crisis areas in North Africa and the Middle East in order to tackle migration and humanitarian pressures at their root cause. But Most of all, the Member States must respect the principle of non-refoulement, in compliance with existing international and EU law. Also, Countries like Italy, Greece and Spain must immediately put an end end to any improper and extended detention practices in violation of international law.
[source:www.europarl.europa.eu]