From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Jul 15 2009 - 13:45:33 EDT
Italy Forcibly Deports Asylum Seekers to Libya - VOA
Jul 15th, 2009 . Featured <http://www.EastAFRO.com/Post/category/featured> ,
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Italy Forcibly Deports Asylum Seekers to Libya
By Lisa Schlein (VOA)
Geneva
The United Nations refugee agency accuses Italy of forcibly deporting
asylum seekers to Libya. The UNHCR says more than 80 people, most from
Eritrea, were intercepted by the Italian Navy on July 1. It says the asylum
seekers were picked up near the Italian island of Lempedusa, transferred to
a Libyan ship and later transported to Libya.
The U.N. refugee agency says the group of asylum seekers was placed in
detention centers upon their arrival in Libya. It says 76 of the 82 people
intercepted at sea by the Italian navy originate from Eritrea, including
nine women and at least six children.
UNHCR staff who interviewed the group, say it seems the Italian Navy did not
try to establish the peoples' nationalities nor their reasons for fleeing.
UNHCR spokesman, Ron Redmond, says based on an assessment of the situation
in Eritrea and from the interviews carried out, it is clear that a
significant number of these people are in need of international protection.
"During interviews UNHCR heard disturbing accounts alleging that force was
used by Italian personnel during the transfer to the Libyan vessel," Redmond
said. "According to these allegations, six people from Eritrea needed
medical attention as a result. the individuals also alleged that their
personal effects, including vital documents, were seized by the Italian Navy
during the operation and have not yet been returned to them. Those
interviewed also spoke of their distress after four days at sea and said
that the Italian Navy did not offer them any food during the 12-hour
operation to return them to Libya."
Forcible deportation of asylum seekers is against international law. And,
the U.N. refugee agency is concerned that Italy's new policy on asylum
seekers may be in breech of this norm.
Italy introduced a so-called push-back policy in early May. Since then, at
least 900 people trying to reach Italy by sea have been sent to other
countries, mainly to Libya.
Until this new policy was introduced, Redmond says Italy had a good record
regarding asylum seekers. He says Italy had rescued thousands of people in
distress in the Mediterranean Sea, providing assistance and protection to
those in need.
"UNHCR has expressed serious concerns about the impact of this new policy
which, in the absence of adequate safeguards, can prevent access to asylum,"
Redmond said.
Redmond says the UNHCR takes the allegations of mistreatment by the Italian
Navy very seriously. He says his agency has sent a letter to the Italian
Government asking for information on the treatment of people returned to
Libya and asking that international norms be respected.
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