The children of Augusta
<
https://www.opendemocracy.net/author/jamie-mackay> Jamie Mackay
7 November 2014
Two abandoned schools in a Sicilian port town raise uncomfortable truths
around how Europe is treating its 'native' and 'migrant' children.
Augusta is an industrial port on the southern coast of Sicily. Home to
35,000 residents, it is a typical southern conurbation of empty houses,
dirty beaches and water-starved palm trees. It was once known mostly for its
oil refineries and chemical processing plants. Since October 2013 however,
this small community has served as a landing site for Mare Nostrum, the
Italian search and rescue operation that has assisted the thousands of
refugees and asylum seekers arriving to Italy in boats.
This year alone, 130,000 successfully made the crossing with another three
thousand drowning in the attempt. Most of the new arrivals are moved
immediately for processing to camps at the island's interior, in the
mountains near the city of Enna. Due to a clause in Italian law, however,
under 18's who arrive unaccompanied are required to remain in the port of
arrival to receive documents. Since April there have been five thousand such
cases in Augusta alone........
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Berhane
Received on Fri Nov 07 2014 - 11:07:42 EST