Migrants still on the high seas. Tuccillo by Avocats Sans Frontières Italy, "immediately a European port". Do we help them at home? "All right but not to talk"

A solution will probably soon be reached in the case of the 49 migrants stranded off the coast of Malta on the Sea Watch and Sea Eye ships.

About ten countries have offered their willingness to welcome them (Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Luxembourg, Holland and Romania) only and only after the government of Malta starts to collaborate by docking the ships in its ports. Valletta, on the other hand, ups the ante and asks that in addition to the 49 people on board the two NGO ships, another 249 refugees rescued in recent days be redeployed. No availability, however, from the countries of the Visegrad bloc such as Poland and Hungary.

Today Sea Watch, Ansa writes, has sounded the alarm, the migrants on board have begun to refuse food.

The same German NGO in a tweet reiterated the fear that "their psychological and health status could worsen significantly". "On SeaWatch we are recording episodes of people refusing food - writes the non-governmental organization - We can not believe that all this is happening a few miles from the European coast".

Meanwhile, Germany said it was willing to participate in welcoming refugees from the two ships, "as part of a European solidarity solution". German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said this at a press conference in Berlin, answering some questions on the development of the situation of refugees from the Sea Watsch and Sea Eye boats. Berlin, which also has "intense contacts and talks" with the EU Commission to resolve the emergency, "supports the efforts of Brussels" in this direction.

Sources of the Italian government reiterate that there was no no controversy between the minister Matteo Salvini, the president Giuseppe Conte and other government components on the Sea Watch and Sea Eye case. The Interior Minister Matteo Salvini does not change position and reiterates the opposition to any arrival by sea in Italy, to block once and for all the trafficking of human beings who enrich smugglers, mobsters and traffickers. The solution is the humanitarian corridors by air for those who really escape from the war, already confirmed by the Minister Salvini also for the 2019.

Francescomaria Tuccillo

In the whole affair il secretary general of the association Avocats Sans Frontières Italia, Francescomaria Tuccillo showed  first the legislative vacuum which is the background to the statements of the government and presented, a few days ago, a complaint to the public prosecutors of Rome and Naples. In this period Tuccillo is in Africa: after a few days in Zimbabwe he is now in Nairobi, Kenya. Rossella D'Averio on the header Juorno.it  he interviewed him to deepen the delicate topic.

Migrants aboard the "Sea Watch" and "Sea Eye" are in total less than fifty, but their story is becoming not only humanly unacceptable, but also politically symbolic. Besides the affirmations of the façade, with a more or less propagandistic flavor, how do you think the migration problem should be addressed?

"First of all I think it is good to underline the historical and chronological dimensions of the migratory phenomenon, which has its roots in time and is destined to last a long time. The impoverishment of African populations (of which the Western countries are largely responsible because they have consumed for centuries the vast natural resources of the so-called "black continent" without any compensation for those living there), associated with climate change and the absence of democracy in many nations, are at the origin of the biblical migration we witness from the South to the North of the world, motivated by reasons of pure survival. "

Who puts his children on an insecure boat, paying a price, certainly does not make a choice of delight: escapes from hunger, thirst, torture and war. And it will continue to do so. It is therefore not proclaiming by force of post and tweet the closure of Italian ports (also illegal in the absence in a specific decree) that will solve the problem of migration flows. The phenomenon deserves a profound ethical, geopolitical, social, economic and legislative reflection that goes well beyond short-term demagoguery. In short, what do the roads seem to be like?

The first, immediately, seems to me the rapid opening of the nearest European port, be it Maltese or Sicilian, to provide immediate assistance to those in need. I hope that the concrete solidarity of which Pope Francis spoke does not remain a dead letter or a good intention without following entrusted to a newspaper or a post. It is well known which streets are paved with good intentions. In a broader perspective, I answer with two words: Europe and internationality. And let me explain. There is no doubt that Europe, sadly absent from the scene these days (and not for the first time), should instead have a strong political voice to be able to face with authority and cohesion a drama that will mark the coming decades. And I deliberately emphasize the adjective "politics". Today the Union is not equipped to do this, because its dimension is essentially purely bureaucratic and economic. Even if it may seem unrealistic, it is really time to rethink the European legal structures and treaties back to the origins, that is to the idea of ​​Europe of its founding fathers. This is not the place to go deeper into the subject, but it would be necessary to find the courage to build a "new" political Europe capable of facing global problems that its old and small nineteenth-century nation-states do not know and cannot solve on their own , as they prove every day. Konrad Adenauer wrote decades ago: «The unity of Europe was a dream of a few. It has been a hope for many. Today it is a necessity for everyone ». It seems to me that the quote fits perfectly in our time. Without Europe, without a new Europe, we are and would be helpless in the face of economic evolution, marginal in the face of the old and new world powers and ineffective - as well as inhuman - in managing the migration problem.

And what do you mean by "internationality"?

In the short to medium term, while waiting for this new Europe to be built, we look to Italy and its businesses. In addition to being a lawyer, I have been and am a manager of companies operating in various sectors of activity and I worked for ten years in Africa, both as an entrepreneur and as a manager of large industrial groups. It is with good reason, therefore, that I would like to underline that Italy has an unmatched know-how in terms of professional skills, innovation, industrial and artisanal products, infrastructures, management of water and agricultural resources, production and distribution of consumer goods. A know-how that is appreciated in the world, but does not internationalize sufficiently. I am thinking above all of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of our economy, and of African countries as an outlet market. Northern Italy is full of companies of this type, excellent but too often withdrawn into the national market, frightened or not helped enough to export. Their products - from agricultural machinery to furniture, from food to construction - would be very useful to African nations or, at least, to many of them. Often, speaking of Africa, it is generalized inappropriately, both as regards the political regimes and as regards its inhabitants. Africa is a continent with one billion and two hundred thousand people and fifty-four nations, some still anchored to post-colonial dictatorial regimes and, in general, economically suffering. Others, on the other hand, are undergoing a decisive transformation, that is, on the way to greater democratic and economic stability. If in undemocratic nations international political intervention is a priority (hence the need for a strong Europe on the world stage), in those that are in evolution, a path of growth that is beneficial for both their economy and our business could be initiated. In other words, if large and medium-sized Italian companies increased their African activities, they could create value for themselves and work for Africa. This would be the best way to help Africans "at home" and not just in words. Obviously to do so, an intelligent, forward-looking industrial policy would be needed, and I would add, "humanistic", that is, guided not only by the interest of the few but by the common good of many.

More specifically, what actions could be taken soon?

There are many. First of all, I repeat, it would require an industrial policy and a coherent, active, strategic, authoritative foreign policy,  endowed with long thinking and open to the world, not turned in on themselves and on their own electoral urgencies. Furthermore, to come to more immediate actions, counter trading could be encouraged, promoting a more effective and competitive banking system and finally expanding and dynamizing the role of Ice, the agency for the promotion of Italian companies abroad, and of Sace. , the company of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti that should accompany the internationalization of companies with its insurance and financial services. Ice should go beyond purely representative tasks and Sace should take root in the territory, provide training, update its data and communicate not only on developments but also on the potential of each country. I will give you just two examples among many, relating to the countries I have just visited or in which I am. Think of Zimbabwe: if a sensible Italian entrepreneur looked at the so-called “country profile” on the Sace website, he would never be inclined to invest in it. Unfortunately, the data dates back to 2017 and there is no information on the latest developments in this nation. A new government has taken office in Harare since last autumn, ending Robert Mugabe's forty years of absolute power. A four-year financial stabilization plan has been announced, which has received approval and support from the International Monetary Fund. And the priorities in terms of infrastructure, consumer goods and natural resource management are many and promising. It would be worth exploring them carefully. As for Kenya, it is the proof of what I have just said. The country is growing, there are already many European and Italian companies large and medium-small that are present there in the construction, furniture or food & beverage sectors. And there are no Kenyans who emigrate. Nobody here would dream of doing it.  Not to mention Angola, a very rich nation. Buying an apartment in the center of Luanda, the capital, costs as much as buying it in Manhattan or Kensington. And it is even now difficult for an Italian to obtain an entry visa in Angola, as it is for an African to obtain it in Italy. In short, we are careful to say "Africa". We are careful not to fall into the generalizing clichés that unfortunately have become part of the current language of some of our politicians. Africa is big, varied, resourceful and evolving. And establishing constructive political, economic and industrial relations is not only positive for us and for them, but it will become necessary.

In essence, could politics, economy and industry, if effectively conducted and coherent with each other, help solve the problem of migration?

Yes, in a nutshell, yes. The epochal problems of our time require intelligent global answers and not magic formulas. A forward-looking and generous policy, an economy in step with the times and an industry open to the world could, together, give concrete answers to this problem. And to many others. 

Migrants still on the high seas. Tuccillo by Avocats Sans Frontières Italy, "immediately a European port". Do we help them at home? "All right but not to talk"