Italy & Libya sign a new anti-immigration pact
Rome, December 16th, 2011.
The Italian Government today renewed - on the quiet, and without any
media coverage - the infamous friendship treaty between Italy and Libya,
with the same form of cooperation in combating illegal immigration
that was part of the previous treaty signed by Berlusconi and Gaddafi
back in 2008 .
Despite the many protests against the treaty by the major
international organizations that defend the rights of refugees and the
articles of the Geneva Convention, the President of the National
Transitional Council of Libya (CNT) Mustafa Abdel Jalil and Prime
Minister Mario Monti have signed the same anti-immigration pact. In
essence, the treaty ensures cooperation in the fight against illegal
immigration through tight controls along the Libyan coast, as well as
Italian investments in Libya.
They also agreed to renew the financial
compensation to Libya for the era of colonial rule. No guarantee has
been sought from the Libyan authorities with regard to the protection of
migrants entitled to refugee status or international protection as
victims of persecution.
After the meeting with Prime Minister Monti,
Jalil was received by President Giorgio Napolitano, Foreign Minister
Giulio Terzi and the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies,
Gianfranco Fini. EveryOne Group and other NGOs have sent an urgent
appeal to the Italian government, President Napolitano, President Fini,
the High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, and the European
Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, asking Italy and Libya
to sign an undertaking to respect the Geneva Convention and the European
Charter of Fundamental Rights in their policies on immigration.
EveryOne Group wtote in from Italy
“…we
have no wish to take part in politics or win over the sympathies of the
press or those in power. We aim to save human lives and protect the
weak from persecution”. EveryOne Group
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