Reference no: EM133208649

Case: Over the past several years, Europe has struggled with the increasing flow of refugees to Europe. One especially vexing problem has been how to respond to refugees who flee Africa (mostly from Libya) across the Mediterranean Sea. Smugglers charge refugees for their services and then often place them on boats or inflatable rafts that are barely seaworthy. No one knows how many refugees have died in transit. Governments (navies and coast guards) and non-government organizations ("NGOs") have engaged in rescue operations. However, many believe that these operations may have emboldened the smugglers to provide even less seaworthy vessels, assuring refugees that someone will rescue them in the event of an emergency. Because of this, some Italian and European Union officials have condemned NGOs who attempt to rescue refugees. These officials believe that rescue operations should be limited to navies and coast guards, especially Libyan forces (because the Libyans will be able to return any rescued refugees to Libya and not Europe, and such action will further discourage refugees). Italy's conservative government has refused some refugee boats to dock in Italy and offload their rescued refugees; meanwhile, other European nations have stepped up to accept them. While this political debate continues, refugees continue to put their lives in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers who certainly meet our definition of organized criminals.

Please watch this video about one particular NGO rescue operation.

Question: Do you believe that the European Union (EU) should side with Italy and refuse to permit rescued refugees into Europe as a way to discourage this dangerous passage across the sea? Or, should the EU require all member nations (including Italy) to accept refugees rescued by NGOs (and then likely place them in camps until their refugee status and fate can be determined)?