(Aylan Shenu(Kurdi)‘s death was off a Turkish beach but I get the point)
Back in 2014 Italy warned that cutting back on their patrols would mean more deaths but they were struggling to afford the €9m(£7m)-a-month Mare Nostrum mission. They asked for European support but Frontex, with its Triton operation, was meagre compared to what the Italian coast-guard had done until then. Triton’s budget was 1/3rd that of Mare Nostrum’s monthly operational costs.
The results were as the Italian coast-guard predicted: more deaths.Why fewer patrols? It was believed that it would “invite” more refugees. But instead, even more refugees set off in 2015, far supassing 2014’s numbers. So much for not “encouraging” refugees to come to Europe.
You know, it would be good for the Vatican to take in refugees as well. I bet there’s at least some extra room, particularly since the current pope has decided to live in a relatively small quarters in a Vatican guesthouse rather than the much larger papal apartments. Of course, many churches all over the world are active in helping with refugee issues—while others who call themselves Christians are much more concerned with keeping the scary foreigners out, no matter what suffering they’re fleeing from.
funny how a photograph of a little child brings out the altruism in everybody. I’m reminded of a viet nam era photograph of a little girl running from a napalm attack.
OmqR-IV.0 over 8 years ago
(Aylan Shenu(Kurdi)‘s death was off a Turkish beach but I get the point)
Back in 2014 Italy warned that cutting back on their patrols would mean more deaths but they were struggling to afford the €9m(£7m)-a-month Mare Nostrum mission. They asked for European support but Frontex, with its Triton operation, was meagre compared to what the Italian coast-guard had done until then. Triton’s budget was 1/3rd that of Mare Nostrum’s monthly operational costs.
The results were as the Italian coast-guard predicted: more deaths.Why fewer patrols? It was believed that it would “invite” more refugees. But instead, even more refugees set off in 2015, far supassing 2014’s numbers. So much for not “encouraging” refugees to come to Europe.
Tue Elung-Jensen over 8 years ago
“funny” thing is there are two sides of the sea – so the rickety boats could be stopped before setting off.
agrestic over 8 years ago
You know, it would be good for the Vatican to take in refugees as well. I bet there’s at least some extra room, particularly since the current pope has decided to live in a relatively small quarters in a Vatican guesthouse rather than the much larger papal apartments. Of course, many churches all over the world are active in helping with refugee issues—while others who call themselves Christians are much more concerned with keeping the scary foreigners out, no matter what suffering they’re fleeing from.
louieglutz over 8 years ago
funny how a photograph of a little child brings out the altruism in everybody. I’m reminded of a viet nam era photograph of a little girl running from a napalm attack.
PainterArt Premium Member over 8 years ago
This a well done political cartoon.