| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (28 min. 49 sec.) ; 174580098 bytes |
| Summary |
The Italians don't refer to them as asylum seekers, refugees or even economic migrants - they simply call them the migranti. So far this year as part of Operation Mare Nostrum, the Italian Navy has rescued a record number of migranti - people fleeing conflict or economic despair in the Middle East and Africa.In a country suffering from recession, the rescue operation is costing around $13 million a month, jamming up processing centres, and causing friction with Italy's EU partners as many migranti walk out of Italian processing centres in search of a new home. EU rules demand those rescued at sea ask for asylum in the country where they come ashore, but job and opportunity-poor Italy allows many to find their way to wealthier countries in Northern Europe, where they claim asylum."We're trying to find a clothes store and then heading to Milan and then find another country maybe. Sweden or Netherlands or Germany." - Mohammad, Syrian refugee rescued by Italian Navy.The policy is putting pressure on the EU to assist Italy with the rescues, both financially and logistically. But the other member states are reluctant to join in. After months of requests, Foreign Correspondent's Sophie McNeill and cameraman David Martin were finally granted special access to the Italian Navy's 8,200-ton troop carrier the San Giusto as it sailed into the Mediterranean to look for migranti. It's a rare and revealing first-hand look at a series of dramatic rescue operations, as the ship picks up more than 800 people in just two days. They're just some of the estimated half a million who are hoping to make the crossing from Libya, where people gather and wait for boats organised by people smugglers. They're trying to make it to the island of Lampedusa, halfway between the African coastline and Sicily - and the closest point to Italian territory - or just to get out of Libyan waters so they can call the Italian navy by satellite phone.Sergeant Major Francesco Cuonzo and his marine squad are in charge of security on the San Giusto. Despite having served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, he says 'Mare Nostrum' is one of his most important assignments."When my friends and family ask me, Why are these people coming to Italy? I respond our ancestors also escaped when there was war. There went looking for their fortunes in America, Australia, Switzerland and other places. Where there is no war it gives you hope of a better future." - Sergeant Major Francesco Cuonzo, Italian MarinesSo far this year over 3,000 people have drowned trying to cross.Critics of Mare Nostrum say the operation has encouraged more people to attempt the risky journey, but the Admiral in charge tells Foreign Correspondent:We have the duty in these cases when we are at sea to intervene to save human life. If we are not at sea then we can't see what happens, we can close our eyes, turn off the lights and in that way, there's no need to "turn back" the boats because they will die. We need to remember that International Rights exist. There are international laws that our countries have ratified. - Vice Admiral Filippo Foffi, Commander in Chief Italian navyAdmiral Foffi says that the increased numbers are not due to Mare Nostrum - rather, the deteriorating situation in places like Libya and Syria.The Italian Solution is an unmissable account of a program diametrically opposed to that of Australia's yet with plenty critics and problems of its own |
| Event |
Broadcast 2014-10-14 at 20:00:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: NC |
| Subject |
Italy. Marina.
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Ebola virus disease.
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Navies -- Officers.
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War victims -- Services for.
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Humanitarian assistance, Italian.
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Italy -- Taranto.
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Africa, Western.
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Streaming video
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| Author |
Mcneill, Sophie, host
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Cuonzo, Francesco, contributor
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Matessi, Mario, contributor
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Songa, Valeria, contributor
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