Forty organizations have urged civil
society to demonstrate against the Italy-Libya memorandum during
a demonstration organized this Wednesday at 5.30 pm in Rome's
Esquilino square.
"If by November 2 the Italian government will not decide for its
suspension - the NGOs said - the memorandum will be
automatically renewed for another three years.
"It is an agreement that has had dramatic consequences for the
past five years on the lives of thousands of migrant and refugee
women, men and children.
"From 2017 to October 2022, nearly 100,000 people have been
intercepted at sea by Libyan coast guards and forcibly taken
back to Libya, a country which cannot be considered safe.
"The organizations are asking the Italian government to
recognize its responsibility and not renew agreements with
Libya".
The NGOs are also asking to "shed light on the management of
European funds financing Libyan coast guards".
The demonstration will be preceded by a press conference at
2:30 pm at the Sala Cristallo of the Nazionale Hotel, during
which organizations that have signed the appeal to civil society
will illustrate the consequences of the memorandum on people
held in Libya, including abuse, arbitrary detention and torture.
The NGOs promoting the event, many of which operate to support
and defend migrant rights, include the Agency Habeshia, Alarm
Phone, Amnesty International Italia, Centro Astalli, Fondazione
Migrantes, Intersos, Medici del Mondo Italia, Mediterranea,
Medici Senza Frontiere, Open Arms, Oxfam Italia, Refugees
Welcome Italia, ResQ - People Saving People, Save the Children,
Sea-Watch.
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