Protests Erupt in Rome Over Migrant Deal Amid Mediterranean Tragedies

A protest in Rome on Saturday highlighted growing outrage over Italy’s controversial migrant deal with Libya, occurring just one day after a shipwreck in the Mediterranean left approximately 20 people feared dead. The deal, originally established in 2017 and renewed under Prime Minister Georgia Meloni‘s government, involves Italy financing and training the Libyan coastguard. In exchange, Libya is expected to prevent migrant departures towards Italy and return those already at sea back to its shores.

The agreement is set for renewal next month, which has prompted increased scrutiny and dissent. During the demonstration, dozens of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa shared harrowing accounts of their experiences in Libya. A minute of silence was observed for those who have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

Activist Sarita Fratini addressed the crowd, stating, “In the central Mediterranean, there is a line called the line of death. In the Libyan area, you get captured. In the north, you die because there is no one there.” Fratini has been actively involved in legal actions against Italy on behalf of migrants who have been intercepted by Libyan forces and returned to detention centers notorious for abuse and torture.

Among those speaking out was Irene Dea, a 46-year-old woman from the Ivory Coast. Dea has tried to reach Europe three times, recounting that twelve individuals perished during her first attempt. After being intercepted by Libyan forces, she spent six months at the infamous Az-Zawiyah detention center, where she described horrific conditions. “In this prison, women are raped. You don’t eat… it was total anguish. I saw women being raped with my own eyes,” she told reporters.

Concerns about the treatment of migrants in Libya have intensified, particularly as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) report an increase in incidents where the Libyan coastguard has fired at boats carrying migrants in the Mediterranean. Last week, the charity Alarm Phone reported a targeted shooting at a vessel carrying 113 migrants southeast of Malta. Survivors rescued by Italy’s coastguard stated they had been shot at during their journey.

The Mediterranean crossing remains perilous, with over 1,000 lives lost so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. On Friday, Italy’s coastguard launched a search for survivors after a vessel carrying around 30 individuals capsized approximately 50 miles southeast of Lampedusa. They managed to rescue seven people, with a nearby merchant ship recovering another four. One body was also found, as Italian and Maltese patrol vessels, along with Italian aircraft, participated in the ongoing search operation.

Criticism of the rescue efforts has emerged, particularly from Sea-Watch International, which operates migrant rescue boats. In a social media statement, the organization asserted, “Italy and Malta knew about the boat since yesterday afternoon, thanks to Alarm Phone, but did not send help until it was too late.” Alarm Phone echoed these sentiments, revealing that they had alerted authorities about the boat carrying around 35 people, only to see their calls for action go unheeded. “The boat capsized, we fear about 20 deaths. We cannot express our anger at yet another group consciously being left to die,” the organization stated.

As the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean continues to unfold, the protest in Rome underscores the urgent need for a reassessment of policies affecting migrants and refugees in the region.