World Refugee Day

Between shipwrecks, rejections by sea and land and the management of ‘primary movements’, what are we going to do with this Day?

The theme of the day 2023 Hope away from home – Hope away from home – befits little the tragedy of these days off the Greek coast where the Mediterranean Sea has swallowed hundreds of people including many women and children.

‘Help or it will be the last night’: 19 unheard calls. Hundreds more migrants swallowed by the Mediterranean. Making a difference with the UN

The good intention of the UN is, without a doubt, to highlight the importance of long-term solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion. The UN has been trying since 1951. Unfortunately, these are very dark times and the responsibility of the EU and European governments is shameful: the inclusion of refugees is a chimera as, when it goes well, they are re-included in refugee camps otherwise…shipwrecks, rejections and the management of ‘primary movements’ on which the Italian government is particularly active in Europe. ‘Primary movements’: a euphemism for ‘if we can’t keep them at home we pay a parking fee to states where human rights are an optional extra’.

Pope Francis, in the Angelus on Sunday 18 June 2023, recalling the celebration of the Day, expressed his sorrow for the recent shipwreck off the coast of Greece as follows: “With great sadness and much sorrow I think of the victims of the very serious shipwreck that occurred a few days ago off the coast of Greece. And it seems that the sea was calm. I renew my prayer for those who lost their lives and I implore that everything possible be done to prevent such tragedies”.