Community of Sant’Egidio: Massacres at sea must stop

One of the dead from this weekend's tragedy being brought ashore in Malta

ROME - The Community has expressed its deep concern at the escalating figures of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, saying both the EU and the UN, must do more to reduce the risks of immigration and stop the wars, which are exacerbating the crisis.

 These comments have come following one of the most tragic disasters to hit the Mediterranean in recent months, with a boat carrying close to 1,000 migrants capsizing on Sunday. Reports from the Italian coastguard indicated that 28 survivors had been plucked from the sea, with around 24 confirmed fatalities. There are fears that the death toll figure could rise to as many as 950 in the coming days, which would make for the biggest loss of life in the Straight of Sicily since World War II.

 “The Community of Sant'Egidio expresses its deepest condolences to all the families affected by the appalling tragedy that occurred in the Straight of Sicily and urges immediate action,” said a statement. “We are faced with a number of victims that resembles that of a war.”

 The Community is amongst those calling on the European Union and the United Nations to work together in creating a plan to combat this worsening issue. Indeed European Union foreign ministers have convened for an emergency meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, but are struggling to come up with a definitive policy regarding the migration of thousands of civilians. Prior to the meeting, EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said, “there is no magic solution.”

 Last October, Italy cancelled Operation Mare Nostum, a rescue mission that saved up to 100,000 lives last year. In its place the EU runs a smaller border patrol service, Operation Triton, which has been described by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as “inadequate.”

 The Community of Sant’Egidio has highlighted three ways in which they believe governments must act to improve the situation. According to their statement, there must be an increase in military vessels in the Mediterranean which can both intercept boats and rescue migrants, and more efforts must be made to intensify diplomatic efforts and mediation, to end the wars which are largely at the origin of migration.

 Furthermore, the Community believes that countries must do more to facilitate immigration through legal channels, which would in turn, reduce dependency on Mediterranean crossings and brutal people traffickers.