Italy tries new approach to deter migrants
Italy tries new approach to deter migrants
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00:00On the U.S. southwestern border with Mexico, the poor and indigent mass of immigrants from
00:07impoverished nations in Central and South America show up seeking a shot to cross into
00:13America.
00:14In the nations of Europe, it is the marginalized and destitute masses from African countries
00:19that dare cross the Mediterranean for a chance at a better life in the countries of Spain,
00:26Greece, France, Germany, among others.
00:29A new approach is in play in Italy to deter the migrant inflow, like in the island of
00:35Lampedusa where VOA's Henry Wilkins reports.
00:41Italian fisherman, Partenico Vincenzo, was at sea one morning in 2022 when he spotted
00:48a boat of 24 migrants trying to cross to Europe from Africa.
00:53He sailed to it and before he knew it, the migrants were jumping onto his boat.
00:58There was nothing else to do but help them, he says.
01:02I thought about their family.
01:03I thought a lot about the fact that we are only on this earth once and must help each
01:07other.
01:08I tried to do everything I could.
01:10Vincenzo is not the only Lampedusa fisherman who has become an accidental rescuer of migrants
01:15in this sea.
01:17Fishermen here, along with Italian authorities, pick up migrants almost every day.
01:22About 95,000 migrants arrived on Lampedusa over 12 months, starting June 1st, 2023.
01:29Since January, the Italian government has put in place a new policy, known as the Mattei
01:35Plan, to try and stem the flow.
01:39Italy hopes the plan will redefine its relationship with Africa, stimulating development and creating
01:44jobs and deterring migrants from leaving their countries of origin.
01:50It is exactly this, using public funds to improve the investment climate.
01:57Africa needs investments.
02:00Addressing irregular migration is a main concern for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney,
02:05who needs to appease the far-right voters who got her into office two years ago.
02:11If it works, and let's say the development-led approach, could become a model for the rest
02:16of Europe.
02:17No individual European country is able to compete with other international players.
02:23China, Gulf countries.
02:26Back in Lampedusa, which is closer to Tunisia and Libya than mainland Italy, activists say
02:32something must change.
02:34Because it shouldn't happen that in these years people are arriving through the Mediterranean
02:42sea that is so dangerous and so risky, and there are many, many people that are losing
02:49their lives or they are losing relatives or friends.
02:53Itzako disagrees with the current policies of Italy and other nations of Europe funding
02:58security forces in African states that routinely push back migrants.
03:03Vincenzo says he would like to see more cooperation to end the dangerous sea crossings and relieve
03:09pressure on Lampedusa's residents.
03:12For me, it is a very normal thing, not to see these deaths, and if the international
03:18community could reach an agreement, I am convinced that many deaths could be avoided.
03:24Officials say more than 3,000 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean last year.
03:30Migrant activists believe many others have gone unreported.
03:34Henry Wilkins, VOA News, Lampedusa, Italy.