Sunday, November 2, 2014

Much Self-Interest?

The article appears to point to how many politicians do not value human life as much as many might expect them too. Spending $11 million a month is a great expect considering that it potentially saved over ninety one thousand lives last year. That is only about $1,450 per person, so it's a very small expect considering that a human life is in danger. Also, the article highlights the contradictions that are often made to justify cutting such an important humanitarian program by mentioning how Italy's interior minister Angelino Alfano said "We are proud of the lives we saved, but Mare Nostrum won't live another year, because however commendable, it was meant as a short-term operation. Responsibility for the Mediterranean frontier rests with Europe. These migrants don't want to come to Italy, they want to come to Europe." From the last time I checked a map, Italy was both in Europe and the Mediterranean. Maybe Italy's interior minister has Italy somewhere else in his own personal atlas such as in Florida or maybe even in Malaysia, but it is common knowledge that Italy is in both in Europe and the Mediterranean.  I understand that many of the migrants' final destinations are not in Italy, but many of the deaths occur near Italy, so it just appears that money and a controversy are more valuable to some politicians than human lives. At least Judith Sunderland from the Human Rights Watch suggests that before Mare Nostrum is  discontinued that Europe should proceed with concrete action to honor all those that died trying to reach its borders if Italy does not want to do everything alone. Furthermore, I do not understand how those that give the order to collectively reject migrants instead of doing that based on individual cases are still in office and not persecuted when it violates both maritime asylum law. Apparently, there is selectivity in the application of laws, which I am strongly against. On the contrary, the claim that many migrants are placed into less safe vessels and boats because of the likelihood of them being saved seems to suggest that rescue efforts can actually be endangering the migrants' lives in some situations, which can only increase the need for Mare Nostrum. The article does seem to make a great suggestion that less xenophobia in Europe and simplified visa procedures can help save many lives, but it's hard to see that happen anytime soon.

No comments:

Post a Comment