Convergence of Cultures joins the Italian associations that appertain to the Asylum Table in an emergency call for the immediate evacuation of the refugees from the Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Horn of Africa, which are locked in Libya and threatened by every single part in conflict. This measure should reach as well those who already made it to the frontier with Tunisia and have no hope of getting effective protection there.

These people have no other choice that shipping off in unsuitable vessels and risking their lives on a treacherous travel trough the sea in order to reach a safe haven in Europe. Hundreds have already died in such journeys and many crafts didn’t even make it. Please remember the tragic events of April 5th and 6th when at least 260 African refugees disappeared in the deeps just 40 miles away from Lampedusa, Italy. A number of such tragedies would never have occurred had the refugees been evacuated and transferred to safe States.

The EU cannot remain passive to these continuing and severe Human Rights infringements. Hence, we urge the European Council, the European Commission and every EU government to assume their responsibility in this situation and provide help to the refugees locked in Libya, emphasizing immediate humanitarian relocation and receiving these people in the Member States.

Gaspare Tarará
Word Coordination – Press Team
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Translated to English by Benjamin Hernández Rodríguez