MIGRATION STANDOFF
UN refugee chief urges the EU to sort out its ‘shameful’ refugee policy
Geneva — UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi urged the EU on Wednesday to sort out its "shameful" refugee policy after both Italy and Malta turned away a ship carrying hundreds of migrants. About 629 migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, have been in the central Mediterranean since Sunday aboard the Aquarius, a vessel operated by SOS Méditerranée, a Franco-German charity that tries to rescue people making the risky crossing to Europe. "It is shameful. As a European, I felt shame that there was a boat — there is a boat — in the Mediterranean and for several days nobody wanted to take these people," Grandi said. The episode, coming a week after the installation of Italy’s new anti-establishment government, has heightened tensions within the EU over migration. "It’s clear that Europe needs to reform its asylum system in a collective manner. There’s a lot of resistance to that but there’s no other way," he said. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told Wednesday’s Corriere della Se...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.