Foreign Troper
For the first 7 months of 2023, there has been a record high of 176.100 irregular border crossings in the EU, a whole 13% more than last year, the highest since 2016
Edited by Forenperser on Aug 20th 2023 at 1:01:32 PM
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Foreign Troper
Within 24 hours, almost 7000 people have arrived at Lampedusa, Italy.
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Is this an actual crisis or is this like Irish immigrants in the United States at the turn of the 20th century crisis?
Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.
It is a crisis, unfortunately. Lots of people drowning in the Mediterranean tend to.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Foreign Troper
The local Mayor invoked an actual state of emergency, yeah, it is absolutely a crisis.
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Foreign Troper
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has visited Lampedusa now and has promised Italy help
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Thing is, I don't think there is much that the EU can do to help.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported the Taliban is now putting up more religious restrictions, which includes accounts on differing intepretations of Islam.
They reported the latest violations in Feb. 2023, where "Taliban have restricted the teaching of Shi’a jurisprudence in some universities, and in February banned marriages between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims in Badakhshan province."
Their report made calls for Priority 2 (P-2) designation granting U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for Afghans from minority groups fleeing because of Taliban persecution.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
I think that there are many things that the EU can do to help. Problem is, the italian government has completely unrealistic assumptions and expectations about how the EU is supposed to help, and it is trying to push towards a policy that simply cannot happen.
Italy's right has a "not in my backyard" attitude towards things that are happening in their backyard, and the tendency to antagonize those european forces which could potentially be more inclined to cooperation, while flirting with the forces which have the same NIMBY attitude - until it backfires.
Add to this that the government itself is divided internally, with Meloni trying to sell herself as a reasonable authority figure (on the conservative side), while Salvini spits out extreme right-wing propaganda in an irresponsible manner, as if he were in a continuing electoral campaign against his own premier (as it is).
The situation is not easy, and I do not envy any government that has to deal with such a crisis. But the actual italian government cannot be trusted by other european actors, and that is worsening the crisis.
Case in point: German government has decided to finance NGOs and charity groups operating in the Mediterranean (and the fact that they prefer to finance NGOs alone speaks volumes). Meloni replied with a rather undiplomatic letter
critizing this decision. NGOs have been a cornerstone of right wing propaganda for years, claiming that they are a 'pull factor' for illegal immigrants, if not directly accomplices of the smugglers - with meager evidences, to be generous. Now they expect the German government to endorse their narration and - what? Signing a blank check to Meloni to do whatever she sees fit?
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
https://kabulnow.com/2023/07/all-is-lost-a-former-soldier-and-her-journey-to-safety/
An article from Kabul Now on a couple (married) who had to trek to Pakistan after Kabul was captured by the Taliban. Both served in the goverment (Wife was in the military and husband was in interior ministry).
The woman is from the Hazara and she already faced Taliban misogyny the moment the capital was captured.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
NYC mayor warns that New York doesn't have room to shelter every migrant they're getting. They're currently sheltering 135,000 migrants from everywhere and looking for somewhere to put them, and considering handing out tents in Central Park.
Fuck the Republicans. New York City should not have to handle this alone. That's what the federal government is for.
I despise hypocrisy, unless of course it is my own.
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
My brother blames the city’s policies to shelter refugees.
You guys can guess his party affiliation already.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Foreign Troper
Italy and Albania made a deal.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/07/europe/italy-albania-migrant-refugee-deal/index.html
TLDR, there are plans to make camps for Migrants in Albania to control the influx of people arriving over the Mediterranean
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Foreign Troper
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have agreed to cooperate more closely on the deportation of migrants who have entered the country irregularly.
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
BBC just reported that Niger's getting rid of laws that are enforced to deter human smuggling and the migration that came with it to the EU.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Foreign Troper
Yeah I read about it. Wonder if this will result in a surge of migrants.
Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
Tragically, those smugglers are gonna be happy to get money again.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
DW's reporting that most Finnish-Russian land border are closed. Moscow's using refugees in hybrid warfare, taking a page from Minsk.
Foreign Troper
The EU has agreed on major Asylum reforms which will make Deportations easier
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-countries-lawmakers-agree-major-reform-of-asylum-system/a-67774124
DW talked about the problems facing people who try to seek asylum in Canada through the US with the unofficial border points fortified.
Also mentioned how most migrant were bussed out by Republican politicians in certain cities.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"