Lampedusa Immigration Crisis
By: Ethan Kang
Course themes:
What helps explain the radicalization of individuals, political movements, and governmental institutions?
Why were many nation states organized on the basis of ethnic identity? Did this do more to solve conflicts or create conflicts?
On Sunday, May 9, about 1400 migrants arrived on the small Italian Island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean. According to local media, it was in just the span of a few hours. One fishing boat alone was carrying close to 400 refugees according to the Italian media. More boats were spotted near Malta, and a total of 15 came that day. Since the start of 2021, 11,000 migrants have arrived on Lampedusa, up from 4,105 in 2020. Since 2015, there has been a surge of migrants coming into Europe especially from Syria. Lampedusa, though a small island, is the first stop migrants take in order to enter Europe. However, the issue has divided European nations, and many discourage immigration into Europe due to nationalistic and racist ideologies
Another boat carrying 325 people was found eight miles off Lampedusa. Politician Matteo Salvini, an Italian politician and former minister of interior, is a strong believer in banning migrants from entering Italy, claiming that Italians already have enough to deal with during this time. He is currently on trial for not letting a migrant boat with 100 people on board dock in Lampedusa in August 2019. He could go to jail for up to 15 years. Oftentimes, the Italian law enforcement in motorboats is the only one to take people off these overcrowded boats if they cannot dock. "One rescue operation could put a total of around 231 people out of danger of drowning," says the charity Alarm Phone. This is especially important because many migrants arrive by boat, and often are in small, overcrowded vessels, and the Italians are the one of the only ones who can help the migrants.
Discussion Questions:
1. Are all human beings worth saving? When must people say yes to helping others despite challenges?
2. If you were a migrant, would you trust a questionable government to help you? What outweighs the fear of long term suffering?
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57049130
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/four-boats-carrying-hundred-migrants-land-italys-lampedusa-report-2021-05-09/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/10/more-than-2000-migrants-arrive-on-italian-island-lampedusa-in-24-hours (image)
I believe that all humans are worth saving, being an immigrant shouldnt make it any different. I understand that the law enforcement moterboats cant hold a large amount of people and could not take some people back to land but maybe there can be other boats and places for the immigrants to dock, instead of being at a high risk of drowning.
ReplyDeleteI believe that all human beings are worth saving no matter what because we are all people who have struggles and no matter what we do we all have a reason to do what we do. I think everyone should help everyone, if you know you can help then you shouldn't hesitate to say no. If I were an immigrant I would be suspicious but I would have faith in the government since I would not know what other way I could get help.
ReplyDeleteAll human beings are worth saving. The right to life is a basic human right. People must say yes to helping others when they are physically and financially able to do so, even if there are challenging circumstances. It is the humanitarian thing to do. At some point, everyone needs help in life and will count on the help of others and even governments for that aid. If I was a migrant, I would still trust a questionable government for help because I likely have no other alternatives. The possibility and hope of help outweighs the fear of certain long term suffering that I am escaping from. -Evan Louie
ReplyDeleteI think all human lives are worth saving. This is a basic human right and everyone deserves the chance to be saved. Communities and people in general must say yes to helping others when it does not hurt themselves in anyway (financially, physically ect) to do so.
ReplyDeleteAll human beings are worth saving because despite differences, in the end it's a fellow homosapien and everyone has a right to life. People must always be willing to help others in any way that they are able to. If I were a migrant, I don't know if I would need to fully trust another countries government in order to want to seek shelter there. People are willing to risk downing in a small, overcrowded boat if it means that they and the next generation might live somewhere where they don't have to suffer.
ReplyDeleteI believe that all human beings are worth saving. People should always be willing to help others if they are able to do so, especially when others are facing challenging times. Whether it Is aiding people in your own community, or helping people from other communities, everyone deserves to be saved.
ReplyDeleteI believe that all human lives are worth saving because no matter what everyone deserves a chance at life. Despite differences in opinions i believe that when people are in trouble or need assistance they should always have a chance to survive.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that all human lives are worth saving. Every human life is worth the same, and being an immigrant changes nothing. I think that people should and need to say yes to helping others out when people are in extremely dangerous situations and are in severe need of assistance. Of course, I also believe that people should generally just help others out whenever they get the chance.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that all human beings are worth saving because no one elses life is worth more than someone else. Every person's life has the same amount of worth and no one should be prioritized. People should help others out but not all the time if they are facing challenges. This is because the challenges that they have to overcome in order to help these people could add more stress and load to a person who is already facing their own problems that take a big toll on them.
ReplyDeleteI feel that all human beings are worth saving because every life is valuable to the world in some way. I feel that we must disregard the differences in opinions and treat all those with value. Every person deserves to be saved from whatever it may be.
ReplyDelete