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Three northern Italian regions refuse to accept more migrants

Belgian sailors distribute flip flops to migrants aboard the Godetia logistical support ship of the Belgian Navy on May 30, 2015 upon its arrival in the port of Crotone in the Italian region of Calabria. (AFP photo)

Three of Italy’s eight northern regions have refused to accept more migrants, days after thousands were rescued and arrived on Italian soil.

On Sunday, the northern regions of Lombardy, Liguria, and Veneto vowed to defy the government of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi by refusing to allow in new migrants.

Lombardy’s President Roberto Maroni said he would soon be requesting local mayors and officials in his region to refuse to welcome “illegal immigrants” allocated by Rome.

He added that municipalities failing to do so would not receive funding from the region.

Liguria’s newly-elected President Giovanni Toti voiced his support for the stance taken by Maroni, saying, "I have already said it: we will not receive any more migrants.” 

Veneto’s President Luca Zaia also said the current migrant situation had increased “social tensions.”

The remarks come as some 4,000 migrants crammed in fishing boats were rescued in the Mediterranean. Those rescued are expected to be dropped off at ports on Sicily and other locations in southern Italy.

At least 50,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says as many as 1,500 people are thought to still be adrift on boats in the sea.

In response to an international outcry over the plight of migrants, ministers of the European Union (EU) have been meeting to discuss a solution to the crisis. They have considered taking military action to eradicate human trafficking in the Mediterranean.

The handout picture released by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) on June 7, 2015 shows migrants rescued from boats in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya, gathered on board the Albion-class assault ship HMS Bulwark in the Mediterranean Sea. (AFP photo)

On June 4, the European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, held talks with Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Dayri, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, over the establishment of a joint naval force to fight gangs smuggling people into Europe.

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC) says it intends to make the entire 28-nation EU share the burden of migrants and help the frontline states such as Italy, Greece, and Malta.

Nearly 2,000 migrants have already lost their lives at sea since the start of the year. In April alone, 800 people were killed after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean.

SZH/HMV/SS


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