Protests Erupt in Rome Over Migrant Deal After Tragic Shipwreck

Protests took place in Rome on Saturday against Italy’s migrant deal with Libya, following a tragic shipwreck in the Mediterranean that left approximately 20 people feared dead. The demonstration was organized by migrants and human rights activists in response to Italy’s controversial agreement with Libya, which has been in effect since 2017 and renewed under the government of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

Details of the Migrant Deal

The deal, which involves Italy funding and training the Libyan coastguard, aims to prevent migrants from departing towards Italy and to facilitate the return of those already at sea. This agreement is set for renewal next month, and its implications have sparked significant public concern. During the protest, attendees included migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa who shared harrowing accounts of their experiences in Libya.

Activist Sarita Fratini addressed the crowd, describing the Mediterranean as a “line of death,” where many migrants face capture in Libya or perilous conditions at sea. Fratini has been involved in legal actions against Italy for its role in pushing back migrants to Libya, where they face dangerous detention conditions.

Harrowing Accounts from Survivors

Among the protestors was Irene Dea, a 46-year-old woman from Ivory Coast, who recounted her attempts to reach Europe. Dea revealed that during her first journey, she witnessed the deaths of 12 individuals in the Mediterranean. After being intercepted by Libyan forces, she spent six months in the notorious Az-Zawiyah detention centre, where she described conditions as horrific, including reports of sexual violence and severe neglect.

“In this prison, women are raped. You don’t eat… it was total anguish,”

Dea stated, emphasizing the trauma faced by many detainees.

Concerns have intensified over the actions of Libya’s coastguard, with non-governmental organizations reporting an increase in incidents where boats carrying migrants have been fired upon. Recently, the charity Alarm Phone reported a shooting incident involving a vessel carrying 113 migrants southeast of Malta.

On Friday, Italy’s coastguard launched a search operation for survivors from a shipwreck involving about 30 individuals. While seven people were rescued, another four were picked up by a nearby merchant ship. Tragically, one body was recovered during the operation, which involved both Italian and Maltese patrol vessels as well as aerial support.

Critics, including Sea-Watch International, have condemned the response to the shipwreck, claiming that authorities were alerted to the vessel’s distress prior to the tragedy but failed to act in a timely manner. “We cannot express our anger at yet another group consciously being left to die,” Alarm Phone stated on social media, reflecting the outrage among activists and humanitarian organizations.

The Continuing Crisis in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean has become a perilous route for migrants, with over 1,000 lives lost in 2023 alone, according to the International Organization for Migration. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the need for effective and humane policies remains urgent.

The protests in Rome underscore a growing discontent with Italy’s approach to migration and the treatment of those seeking refuge. As the renewal of the migrant deal approaches, activists are calling for a reassessment of policies that prioritize border security over human lives.