Boat caught in Europe's migration spat brings hundreds to Spain

[webfact]

Boat caught in Europe's migration spat brings hundreds to Spain

By Luis Felipe Fernandez and Jordi Rubio

 

The Aquarius rescue ship arrives to port carrying 106 migrants in Valencia, Spain June 17, 2018. REUTERS/Heino Kalis

 

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) - Rescued migrants turned away by Italy and Malta arrived at the Spanish port of Valencia on Sunday, ending a gruelling Mediterranean odyssey that became symbolic of Europe's failure to agree on immigration.

 

Spain swooped to help 629 mainly sub-Saharan Africans on board the ship Aquarius last week after Italy's new government, asserting its anti-immigrant credentials, refused to let it dock. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who took office two weeks ago, took the opportunity to show a more liberal stance.

 

But the plight of the Aquarius, run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee, highlighted the European Union's struggle to manage an influx of people fleeing poverty and conflict.

 

Men, women and children who spent nine days on the Aquarius, after their rescue off the Libyan coast, cheered as they approached Valencia, where they were met by officials in white protective suits and masks, before police processed their information.

 

The whole group arrived on three separate boats, after some were transferred to two Italian vessels to make the journey safer.

 

A staff of 2,320, including volunteers, translators and health officials, were waiting on shore. Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies General Elhadj As Sy was also in Valencia.

 

"This sad odyssey of the people on the Aquarius is another reminder that all people, regardless of their nationality or immigration status, should have access to basic assistance and protection," Sy said in a statement.

 

"No human being is 'illegal'," added Sy.

 

Italy's rejection of the Aquarius prompted a spat with France, while the issue of immigration has triggered a political row in Germany.

 

Malta refused to take the boat, saying it had nothing to do with the rescue, which was coordinated by Italy's coast guard.

 

"POLITICAL POINT-SCORING"

Karline Kleijer, MSF's head of emergencies, told a news conference refusing safe port was "shameful".

 

"MSF denounces any European government which is choosing political scoring of points above saving lives at sea," she said.

 

"People were threatening to jump into the water (during) the standoff between Italy and Malta, because they were scared and said if we have to die we'd rather die at sea than in Libya."

 

No serious illness was reported among the migrants, who included seven pregnant women and 123 minors, but many had suffered burns and fatigue.

 

All the migrants will get special 45-day humanitarian permits to stay, and asylum requests will be assessed, Chief Inspector of Immigration and Border Police Bernardo Alonso said.

 

France has offered to take in any passengers who qualify for asylum and want to go there.

 

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, whose right-wing League party entered government pledging to crack down on flows of migrants which have topped 600,000 over the past five years, tweeted:

 

"For the first time, a boat that left Libya aiming for Italy docks in a different country: a sign that something is changing, that we are not Europe's doormat any more."

 

Far fewer migrants have arrived in Spain, but the number is rising fast, with more than 1,000 rescued by Spain's coast guard on Friday and Saturday. A search is underway off the coast of Almeria after four sub-Saharan men rescued by helicopter said their dinghy had been carrying a total 47 people when it sank.

 

Most Spaniards support the idea of welcoming and helping to integrate refugees, pollsters say. That allowed Sanchez, a socialist, to offer migrant-friendly policies to voters who felt previous governments did not do enough.

 

(Additional reporting and writing by Isla Binnie; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Ros Russell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-06-18

[FreddieRoyle]

First and most important thing to be said here. The ships captain needs an updated map. He carried all these suffering souls around the Med for days trying to get to Italy or Malta, neither of which would accept. Clearly the captain didn't realize that Tunisia(a safe country) was only a few hours away. It was the perfect place to take them, and everyone would be happy(apart from economic migrants).

 

 Having stated the obvious, I get the feeling if these boats were carrying predominantly female passengers, the old, the weak and vulnerable and proper children that there would be no outcry and that they would be welcomed with open arms by all European countries. After all Christians are highly charitable and do good deeds with no expectation of reward. But no. The boat was carrying nearly all men, and from the numerous pictures I have seen they look to be mainly males of fighting age. Fit and healthy, certainly not undernourished or suffering from visible ailments.

 

 My concern is if we take all the fit males from these poorer nations - a) what happens to the children, females and elderly family members these males abandoned to buy expensive tickets to the EU? And, if there are no fit strong males around - who can develop and improve the poorer nations? I think we are doing these nations a dis-service by taking such assets from them. 

 

 Not to even start mentioning the dire economy in Spain. The huge youth unemployment rate. The havoc the socialist government there is reeking on the working class by importing all these needy persons. I hear even the socialist govt in Spain will soon tear down the borders in Cueta and Melila (sp?) to allow Moroccans to flood into Spain. Sounds like madness to me, but what do I know.

Edited June 18, 2018 by FreddieRoyle

[bert bloggs]

The report said that there were few migrants in Spain so they welcomed them ,wait until you have as many as the rest of Europe Spain , Then you wont be as welcoming ,mind you i bet within a short time most of these will be on their way to Britain .

Edited June 18, 2018 by bert bloggs

[Rigby40]

Europeans are waking up. They will soon be yelling(tweeting?) on mountain tops "They're not sending their best!!!"

Edited June 18, 2018 by Rigby40

[Opl]

Thanks to TV programs,  economic migrants believe that here we have everything, and that it is up to us to find a daily hobby to fancy:  golf club lounge or shopping malls…
Asylum seekers in search of security, usually flee to the neerest  neighboring country in peace;  at least the less fortunate, those who have only their feet to flee and do not have the financial means to pay a smuggler. 

What we are witnessing is nothing less than the landing of hundreds of illegal immigrants without any title or right, conveyed by NGO and smugglers in the most illegal way, They left their homeland voluntarily, in good health, by means they freely chose and paid  extortionate service fees for . Since over 95% of them do not qualify for asylum, there is no reason to welcome them.

But now that they have arrived, with no money left, they should be welcomed and properly accomodated, if not so, then put the blame on the country of arrival..    
 

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by Opl

[zydeco]

Germans dumping Africans in Spain. What could go wrong?

[dick dasterdly]

"Most Spaniards support the idea of welcoming and helping to integrate refugees, pollsters say. That allowed Sanchez, a socialist, to offer migrant-friendly policies to voters who felt previous governments did not do enough."

 

IF this is true (which I doubt....), it's a win-win situation.  But I seriously doubt it is true.

[Opl]

4 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Germans dumping Africans in Spain. What could go wrong?

Charity has limits
The Aquarius is a German ship under the flag of Gibraltar!

[roobaa01]

1. illegals have no rights to enter europe. 2. ngos are the worst human trafficers. 3. italy will close its ports to ngos human trafficing boats and criminalising their action. 4. italy has finally got a reality minded government 5. there is no coherent eu movement for italy, denmark, netherslands, finland, visegrad states, austria strictly reject importing social welfare tourists. 

 

wbr

roobaa01

[DILLIGAD]

"Most Spaniards support the idea of welcoming and helping to integrate refugees, pollsters say. That allowed Sanchez, a socialist, to offer migrant-friendly policies to voters who felt previous governments did not do enough."

 

IF this is true (which I doubt....), it's a win-win situation.  But I seriously doubt it is true.

There is that funny ‘I’ word again. Those people do not want to integrate, only exploit and why have all these able-bodied men left their women,children& infirm to cope for themselves??????

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nausea]

Well, I guess we know where all the migrant boats will be heading from now on. Spain may come to regret this magnanimous gesture. 

[roobaa01]

1. next step will be france, germany, austria, italy , visagrad etc..signing a paper to reject welfare wishers w.o. papers at their borders as well as already registered ones 2. implemention of camps rough hewn outside the eu . 3 spain is separated by the pyranees, hence closing the mountain passes will be easy.

 

wbr

roobaa01

[Opl]

14 minutes ago, nausea said:

Well, I guess we know where all the migrant boats will be heading from now on. Spain may come to regret this magnanimous gesture. 

June 15,  Strait of Gibraltar, some 629 migrants from Morocco on small inflatable boats were rescued during the day by the Spaniards, mainly on the coast of Cadiz. At least four people lost their lives at sea. According to specialists in the fight against illegal immigration, Morocco may have relaxed its controls at the border as a reminder of its essential role in monitoring the gates of Europe ..

[Kinnock]

7 minutes ago, nausea said:

Well, I guess we know where all the migrant boats will be heading from now on. Spain may come to regret this magnanimous gesture. 

I'm sure they will.  Although once in Spain they may travel to any EU country in the future.

 

I noticed a change in the tone of news reporting on this issue - now only the starry-eyed 'spokespersons' for the 'Human rights/trafficking' groups are bleating on about the duty of Western nations to overlook entry visas, work permits and passports to allow mass entry of commercially shipped illegal aliens.

 

They have paid criminals to try and enter a country illegally, they are not fleeing persecution at home, provide humanitarian aid (food, water, medicine, fuel) and use the Navy to escort the ships back to where they came from.  That will stop the people trafficking, prevent negative sentiments and may even allow the politicians to keep their jobs.

 

 

 

[DefaultName]

6 hours ago, FreddieRoyle said:

First and most important thing to be said here. The ships captain needs an updated map. He carried all these suffering souls around the Med for days trying to get to Italy or Malta, neither of which would accept. Clearly the captain didn't realize that Tunisia(a safe country) was only a few hours away. It was the perfect place to take them, and everyone would be happy(apart from economic migrants).

 

 Having stated the obvious, I get the feeling if these boats were carrying predominantly female passengers, the old, the weak and vulnerable and proper children that there would be no outcry and that they would be welcomed with open arms by all European countries. After all Christians are highly charitable and do good deeds with no expectation of reward. But no. The boat was carrying nearly all men, and from the numerous pictures I have seen they look to be mainly males of fighting age. Fit and healthy, certainly not undernourished or suffering from visible ailments.

 

 My concern is if we take all the fit males from these poorer nations - a) what happens to the children, females and elderly family members these males abandoned to buy expensive tickets to the EU? And, if there are no fit strong males around - who can develop and improve the poorer nations? I think we are doing these nations a dis-service by taking such assets from them. 

 

 Not to even start mentioning the dire economy in Spain. The huge youth unemployment rate. The havoc the socialist government there is reeking on the working class by importing all these needy persons. I hear even the socialist govt in Spain will soon tear down the borders in Cueta and Melila (sp?) to allow Moroccans to flood into Spain. Sounds like madness to me, but what do I know.

Agreed, we're supposed to feel sorry for these poor "refugees", but many of them are the fighters who CAUSED the problems they say they're running away from.

 

IMO, Europe is letting in an army, who our next generations will be fighting in the streets.  And people aren't even allowed to comment on it for fear of being labelled racist. 

Me, I got out, from Thailand I can at least say what I think (as long as it's not about the Thai's  ?). 

 

I believe these people should be given food, water, and medical attention.  Then loaded onto barges, towed back to wherever they came from, the barges anchored as close to shore as possible, and left there.  Whatever your feelings about their problems, they are THEIR problems, not ours.

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Opl said:

Thanks to TV programs,  economic migrants believe that here we have everything, and that it is up to us to find a daily hobby to fancy:  golf club lounge or shopping malls…
Asylum seekers in search of security, usually flee to the neerest  neighboring country in peace;  at least the less fortunate, those who have only their feet to flee and do not have the financial means to pay a smuggler. 

What we are witnessing is nothing less than the landing of hundreds of illegal immigrants without any title or right, conveyed by NGO and smugglers in the most illegal way, They left their homeland voluntarily, in good health, by means they freely chose and paid  extortionate service fees for . Since over 95% of them do not qualify for asylum, there is no reason to welcome them.

But now that they have arrived, with no money left, they should be welcomed and properly accomodated, if not so, then put the blame on the country of arrival..

A few clarifications.

 

Unsure where you sourced your numbers, but I have read approx 40% of cross Mediterranean asylum seekers reaching Italy are eventually vetted as genuine refugees. Some facts and figures...

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20170629STO78630/eu-migrant-crisis-facts-and-figures

 

It was mainly the Italian navy and commercial shipping who rescued (maritime law) then transferred the survivors to the NGO vessel.

 

Personally I would not consider Libya or the sub Sahara safe countries for asylum seekers or those using smugglers, quite the opposite when you read the horror stories of torture, rape and so on.

[bert bloggs]

19 hours ago, simple1 said:

A few clarifications.

 

Unsure where you sourced your numbers, but I have read approx 40% of cross Mediterranean asylum seekers reaching Italy are eventually vetted as genuine refugees. Some facts and figures...

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20170629STO78630/eu-migrant-crisis-facts-and-figures

 

It was mainly the Italian navy and commercial shipping who rescued (maritime law) then transferred the survivors to the NGO vessel.

 

Personally I would not consider Libya or the sub Sahara safe countries for asylum seekers or those using smugglers, quite the opposite when you read the horror stories of torture, rape and so on.

My heart bleeds for them ,IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY ,NOT MINE.

[The Renegade]

18 hours ago, simple1 said:

Unsure where you sourced your numbers, but I have read approx 40% of cross Mediterranean asylum seekers reaching Italy are eventually vetted as genuine refugees. Some facts and figures...

How do you vet people with no paper work ?

 

Quote

Almost half of the 630 migrants rescued from the Mediterranean who arrived at Spain's port of Valencia at the weekend want to seek asylum in France, the Spanish government said Monday.

http://www.france24.com/en/20180618-half-aquarius-migrants-seek-asylum-france-spain

 

Seeking asylum ? Asylum seekers do not get to choose where they want to go.

[DILLIGAD]

http://www.france24.com/en/20180618-half-aquarius-migrants-seek-asylum-france-spain
 
Seeking asylum ? Asylum seekers do not get to choose where they want to go.

Check their mobile phones as they mysteriously never lose them and passports are the first thing they ‘make walk the plank’
If ‘Asylum seekers’ (I call them Economic migrants) do not choose where they go, then why do they not stop at the first safe country???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Briggsy]

"Give us the free stuff now."

[The Renegade]

2 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

Check their mobile phones as they mysteriously never lose them and passports are the first thing they ‘make walk the plank’

This is not in doubt.

 

2 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

If ‘Asylum seekers’ (I call them Economic migrants) do not choose where they go, then why do they not stop at the first safe country???

As they are mostly Sub-Saharan African's, it is possible that the half that want to go to France actually speak French. Alternatively, they could be trying to meet up with others in places like Calais, in attempt to sneak into the UK.

[DILLIGAD]

As they are mostly Sub-Saharan African's, it is possible that the half that want to go to France actually speak French. Alternatively, they could be trying to meet up with others in places like Calais, in attempt to sneak into the UK.

Agree. So many choices, so many benefits for a poor downtrodden asylum seeker looking for ‘home’ . 555


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Opl]

Because of the non-refoulment principle, a boat full of illegal economic migrants mixed with even a few or none real asylum seeker will one way or the other land in Europe.

As facts are, there is no real possibility to send people back to where they come , every one who makes the trip finally will stay. The trip is hard, so you'll mostly see young men among them. 

That's the promise the smugglers sell and keep. With the full cooperation of NGOs. Mobile phones make the job. Pretending to be an asylum seeker opens the door. 

In the end, because of the burden accumulated since décades  and especially a country like France - - not just the last 3 years -  voters in the coming élections will make their choice based on how this issue is addressed - and it's a failure in perspective.

And I've not even mentioned the desillusion after a few months of " inhuman"  living conditions once in France. 

And I've not mentioned how these illegal economic migrants will manage to make a living.     

Facts and Numbers easy to find, accomodations already are over-populated 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2018 by Opl

[DM07]

2 minutes ago, The Renegade said:

Love, understanding and solidarity left the building a long time ago.

 

It is now reached the stage where this '' Migration '' issue is threatening to collapse Governments.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-horst-seehofer-postpone-showdown-on-migration/

Seehofer has been on this for some time now- it is nothing new!

He also tried to get his BS into the negotiations for the coalition, floated it before the last election.

The CSU continues to "fish" on the far right wing!

It is disgusting and despicable...but hardly new! 

[dick dasterdly]

36 minutes ago, Opl said:

Because of the non-refoulment principle, a boat full of illegal economic migrants mixed with even a few or none real asylum seeker will one way or the other land in Europe.

As facts are, there is no real possibility to send people back to where they come , every one who makes the trip finally will stay. The trip is hard, so you'll mostly see young men among them. 

That's the promise the smugglers sell and keep. With the full cooperation of NGOs. Mobile phones make the job. Pretending to be an asylum seeker opens the door. 

In the end, because of the burden accumulated since décades  and especially a country like France - - not just the last 3 years -  voters in the coming élections will make their choice based on how this issue is addressed - and it's a failure in perspective.

And I've not even mentioned the desillusion after a few months of " inhuman"  living conditions once in France. 

And I've not mentioned how these illegal economic migrants will manage to make a living.     

Facts and Numbers easy to find, accomodations already are over-populated 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that's the problem.

 

Few object to GENUINE refugees/asylum seekers, but the evidence indicates that most are actually economic migrants.

 

I take your point about "The trip is hard, so you'll mostly see young men among them." - but surely if they are fleeing death, the elderly, women and children would take the chance too??

[simple1]

3 hours ago, The Renegade said:

How do you vet people with no paper work ?

 

http://www.france24.com/en/20180618-half-aquarius-migrants-seek-asylum-france-spain

 

Seeking asylum ? Asylum seekers do not get to choose where they want to go.

As has been repeatedly stated and always ignored by you and others, currently under international law asylum seekers are entitled to apply anywhere that facilitates refugee status, though populist nationalist government are issuing decrees and so on to enact domestic restrictions. However, from your link and other media reports, France will assess asylum claims for those who were landed in Spain, but wish to apply for refugee status in France.

[dick dasterdly]

To look on the bright side, the Spanish govt. are happy to accept the 'refugees' (that seems to consist of a vast majority of young men) - so all is well - until the Spaniards start complaining about their govts. stance.

[FreddieRoyle]

8 minutes ago, simple1 said:

As has been repeatedly stated and always ignored by you and others, currently under international law asylum seekers are entitled to apply anywhere that facilitates refugee status, though populist nationalist government are issuing decrees and so on to enact domestic restrictions. However, from your link and other media reports, France will assess asylum claims for those who were landed in Spain, but wish to apply for refugee status in France.

I was under the impression the whole point of the Dublin Convention was to stop migrants from "asylum shopping" ie travelling over other safe countries to reach the country with the most free stuff on offer? 

[simple1]

14 minutes ago, FreddieRoyle said:

I was under the impression the whole point of the Dublin Convention was to stop migrants from "asylum shopping" ie travelling over other safe countries to reach the country with the most free stuff on offer? 

I am loath to respond to you. However, in this instance you should  research the T&Cs of the Dublin 111 Regulation which increasing numbers of EU states, who have elected nationalist populist leaders, are refusing to adhere. With regard to the OP France has agreed in this instance to take on some humanitarian action to assess those who wish for refuge in France meet their criteria.

[DM07]

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

I refer you to my last post.

I don't really get the point of the "economic immigrants"?!

As if the situation, that made them want to become "economic immigrants" just fell from the sky!

"We" and "our countries" often went into these same places, exploited them and when "we" were done, "we" "set them free", went home and left them, with their own economics in tatters, robbed of their resources and often without any plan for the life after.

And I am not just referring to colonization!

"We" laid the groundwork for this "economic migration", but "we don't want anything to do with the results of our policies!

Because we got the best out of that situation- so #$%@ the rest!