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Worship with us @ Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries, Budapest, Hungary Address: 1081 Bp II János Pál Pápa tér 2 (formerly Köztársaság tér) Direction: From Blaha, take tram 28, 28A, 37, 37A, 62...1 stop. From the traffic light cross to the other side... Or take Metro 4 & get off @ János Pál Pápa tér
Time of worship: Wednesdays @ 18:30 hr Sundays @ 10:30 hr
Tel: +36 203819155 or +36 202016005

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Friday 18 February 2011

Will Europe Open its Door for Tunisians?

POLITICAL UPRISING
By United for Intercultural Action

As the consequences of recent political uprising; civil unrest, instability and lack of state security continues to threaten civil life in Tunisia, Italy has called upon EU and Frontex to secure its borders from those who seek to escape from these fearful conditions


People fleeing Tunisia have mainly arrived at the Sicilian Islands, with Lampedusa receiving 5031 migrants in the first 12 days of January, according to figures provided by Italian authorities. Figures of 4000-5000 from the beginning of January until present are widely reported by the media and NGOs. Italy, underlining that this is not simply a national problem but that of the EU has called for the European community to tackle the crisis, what Interior Minister Maroni has referred to as a "biblical exodus".

Italy has counted 116 boats arriving on its shores, but many more fail to dock safely. So far UNITED is aware of 6 reported deaths occurring as a result of shipwrecks on perilous journeys from Tunisia, 31 bodies still missing and this amount is expected to rise dramatically over the coming days. On February 11, Tunisian coastguards on the vessel ironically named "Liberte 302" were witnessed deliberately ramming a boat carrying 120 passengers until it split in half - the corpses of 5 migrants have been retrieved so far, with dozens still unaccounted for.

The critical state of Tunisia over recent weeks is undisputable. Since former autocratic President Ben Ali was forced out of office by mass protests in January, strikes and a lack of policing and security have ensued, causing many to fear for their lives and safety. Traffickers have played on the vulnerability and instability of Tunisian society to line their pockets. 

The obvious disregard for these conditions, and blind concern for European borders is obvious. Maroni's inflammatory and provocative comments claiming that escaped criminals and "figures from terrorist organisations" are posing as asylum seekers are unacceptable, and his desire to "block the flux" from an "exploding" Maghreb clearly illustrates an intention to exploit and manipulate fears that exist in Europe about immigration.

With the recently announced intervention of Frontex to start momentarily, this is yet another example of the EU's superficial solution in the face of a humanitarian crisis, as is currently being seen in Greece; the protection and reinforcement of European borders against the most vulnerable. Furthermore, mounting pressure on Tunisian authorities is leading to reckless forms of policing, such as the fatal act of its coastguards.

Over the years, the all too regular deaths of migrants at the coasts of Lampedusa have cast a dark shadow over the island; in June 2003 over 200 died on an overloaded boat and since 1993, 857 fatalities have been recorded in the UNITED List of Deaths. Umberto Bossi, serving Italian Minister for Institutional Reforms and Devolution, refused to express regret for the 200 lives lost. 

To avoid the repetition of past tragedies, UNITED calls for the Italian government and EU agencies handling the arrival of migrants to ensure their humane and proper treatment, access to the asylum system and international protection where appropriate in line with PACE's resolution 1637; "Europe's boat people: mixed migration flows by sea into southern Europe". In accordance, other EU member states must acknowledge their role in sharing the responsibility; France's statement that they would only accept Tunisian migrants in "marginal cases" turns its back on the European community.

It is not enough for Europe to support Tunisia's revolution: it must also provide support for the structural challenges that lie ahead until a state of peace and stability is restored. At the very least, this includes respecting the human rights of its people and their fundamental right to seek asylum.

1 comment:

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Editor's Mail

Love the article on Gaddafi
We must rise above tribalism & divide & rule of the colonialist who stole & looted our treasure & planted their puppets to lord it over us..they alone can decide on whosoever is performing & the one that is corrupt..but the most corrupt nations are the western countries that plunder the resources of other nations & make them poorer & aid the rulers to steal & keep such ill gotten wealth in their country..yemen,syria etc have killed more than gadhafi but its not A̷̷̴ good investment for the west(this is laughable)because oil is not in these countries..when obasanjo annihilated the odi people in rivers state, they looked away because its in their favour & interest..one day! Samosa Iyoha

Hello from
Johannesburg
I was amazed to find a website for Africans in Hungary.
Looks like you have quite a community there. Here in SA we have some three million Zimbabweans living in exile and not much sign of going home ... but in Hungary??? Hope to meet you on one of my trips to Europe; was in Steirmark Austria near the Hungarian border earlier this month. Every good wish for 2011. Geoff in Jo'burg

I'm impressed by
ANH work but...
Interesting interview...
I think from what have been said, the Nigerian embassy here seem to be more concern about its nationals than we are for ourselves. Our complete disregard for the laws of Hungary isn't going to help Nigeria's image or going to promote what the Embassy is trying to showcase. So if the journalists could zoom-in more focus on Nigerians living, working and studying here in Hungary than scrutinizing the embassy and its every move, i think it would be of tremendous help to the embassy serving its nationals better and create more awareness about where we live . Taking the issues of illicit drugs and forged documents as typical examples.. there are so many cases of Nigerians been involved. But i am yet to read of it in e.news. So i think if only you and your journalists could write more about it and follow up on the stories i think it will make our nationals more aware of what to expect. I wouldn't say i am not impressed with your work but you need to be more of a two way street rather than a one way street . Keep up the good work... Sylvia

My comment to the interview with his excellency Mr. Adedotun Adenrele Adepoju CDA a.i--

He is an intelligent man. He spoke well on the issues! Thanks to Mr Hakeem Babalola for the interview it contains some expedient information.. B.Ayo Adams click to read editor's mail
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