It is very shocking to read that civilians left to starve and die as they were hoping for a safer and better life somewhere else in a different part of the world.
No rescue effort was attempted to save the lives of 61 people who were left to perish, which included several women and young children in a boat which left Tripoli, Libya for safety in March this year to reach the island of Lampedusa.
Many of the people on board died from thirst and hunger after their vessel was left to drift in open waters for 16 days. Although the boat made contact with a military helicopter and a NATO warship no one came to the aid of the helpless passengers. It is beyond belief that something like this can happen in the 21st Century and at a time when everyone talks about human rights and democracy.
The armed forces, as part of NATO which we have been often reminded, their role is to protect civilians in war torn areas, seem to have ignored the fact that their duty is to save civilians everywhere where their help is needed and not only in war ravaged areas. Refugee rights campaigners and NGOs have demanded an investigation into the needless deaths of these 61 people. A spokeswoman Laura Boldrini said “The Mediterranean cannot become the Wild West and those who do not rescue people at sea cannot remain unpunished.”
Not surprisingly, the political turmoil in North Africa is escalating with the number of people attempting to reach Europe for safety by sea, is also on the rise. Many people have died en route. Some estimates these numbers up to last month to be more than 800 refugees of different nationalities who left on boats from Libya and did not make it to the European shores and are presumed dead.
The media is preoccupied with the scenes of atrocities being committed by all sides in the conflict that is unfolding in the Middle East and this type of tragedy is conveniently overlooked. Agencies are prioritising their efforts in land and the expense of people fleeing to safety using whatever means of transport available to them.
These tragic needless deaths of hundreds of people at sea can be avoided and should have been as clearly the Authorities were aware of their presence and their need for humanitarian assistance was far greater as they were drifting in open seas of 16 days. Their deaths must not be in vain and steps must be taken to ensure that Authorities do not turn a blind eye to needs of helpless children, women and men especially at sea.
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 