15/05/2009
Commission should investigate Italy-Libya agreement
Commenting on the controversy in Italy over the return of migrants at sea to Libya, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "Italy is breeching international law and quite possibly EU policy. Berlusconi is wrong to flout international law and will have to revise his Government's policies."
He added "The silence form the European Commission is deafening, yet speaks volumes. The problem is that the Commission President does not dare upset any member state, let alone a large one like Italy, during his campaign for a second term as President."
"It is disreputable for the Commission to overlook this serious humanitarian issue for the sake of one man's job."
"At the very least the European Commission should announce an investigation into whether the Italy-Libya bilateral agreement, and Italy's actions in returning migrants at sea, is consistent with EU policy. The Commission should also be putting respect for human rights in the implementation of EU asylum policy firmly on the agenda of the Council."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org
