Press release-October 12, 2023A very significant webinar for our union was held on October 11. Charles Palumbo, Deputy National Secretary of Welcome Association Italy, participated in the event "The New Odyssey: Landing in Lampedusa," along with Ami Kida of Vision Channel Africa Italy, Mamadou Kouassi , the activist who inspired Matteo Garrone's film "Io Capitano," and Antonella Bundu, Florence city councilwoman and human rights activist. During the webinar, this highly respected panel covered several topics including:
Lampedusa migrant emergency;
The difficulty of African citizens in pursuing legal avenues;
The management of migration flows.
The issue of immigration is a hot topic in Italy and has always been the focus of political and media attention. Human rights activist Antonella Bundo explained the importance of traveling and creating legal routes to get to Europe, stressing the lack of a legislative basis to help ease the crossing of the Mediterranean. He later added that if in the past it was difficult to enter Italy, with the current government it is almost impossible to regularize the entry of citizens of African countries. The consequence of these government measures is increased rigidity. Those who arrive without a regular document will be locked up in a Center for Permanence for Repatriation (CPR), with a fine of about €4,000; in the case of the aforementioned "smugglers" there is an arrest. There are two main reasons why African people undertake this long and dangerous journey. The first is the hope for a better future, fleeing from contexts of social and economic crisis and war risk. The second, however, is the simple desire to live and discover a different reality or life. This is a common desire that all young people may have but few can achieve because of ethnicity.Our Deputy National Secretary Carlo Palumbo reported his experience in 'assisting foreign people who want to live here in Italy. He recounted the difficulties encountered with African nationals, particularly Cameroon, Congo and Côte d'Ivoire, in coming to Italy regularly compared to the rest of the non-EU nationals who are certainly more facilitated. From visa denials, to scams, to interminable waiting times, to falsifying financial assets. There are many impediments that lead one to think that irregular immigration is the only way out for hope of a better future. Mamadou Kouassi, the person who inspired director Matteo Garrone in the Oscar-nominated film "Io Capitano," recounted the difficulties he encountered firsthand in applying for a simple visa. Hence the decision to make the journey to Italy, despite the danger and high likelihood of death. Mamadou himself witnessed scenes of despair, abuse, and death along the way.So, we talk a lot about irregular immigration, about journeys that turn into real tragedies, about charging a high price for those who come to Italy. Repelling, fining, and driving away the people of Africa would seem to be the only way to solve irregular immigration according to governments. What is not talked about much is a solution. A system that can make the passports of African citizens equal to those of European citizens, ensuring safe and legal travel. By doing so, citizens of African countries could also fulfill a common desire that all young people today may have, which is to discover the world.
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