“While we rejoice at this arrival, let us also think of those who arrive in Lampedusa from Libya with wounded souls and bodies, and of those who have had their lives saved thanks to being rescued at sea. Our gratitude goes to all those who are doing their best for these rescues – institutional forces and civil society, with support from the largest Protestant church in Europe”, declared the president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy.
Rome, 30th November 2022 – 114 refugees from Libya arrived in Fiumicino at Terminal 5 this afternoon. They come from Syria and some African countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 101 of them will be hosted by the national reception system while the other 13 by the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI) and the Waldensian Board. This arrival completes the first protocol for refugees and asylum seekers from Libya, signed by the Italian Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, UNHCR, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI) and the Waldensian Board, for a total of 500 people welcomed in our country (300 by the state and 200 from associations).
Several people were here in Fiumicino today : Matteo Piantedosi, the Italian Minister of the Interior; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani; Chiara Cardoletti UNHCR representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino; Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of Sant’Egidio, Daniele Garrone, president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy.
Daniele Garrone, president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), declares: “We are facing a significant fact also on an international level: with this humanitarian corridor from Libya, Italy confirms a pilot strategy that has achieved notable results.As a matter of fact thanks to the humanitarian corridors, thousands of refugees have found protection in Italy following a legal and safe path. They have been accompanied in an integration process that has achieved clear and recognized results.
The opening of a corridor from Libya underlines the importance and the effectiveness of a relationship between civil society and institutions – starting with the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs – which we hope can be further increased.
Actions such as the humanitarian corridors should not be reduced to charitable gestures of pious souls. They are related to the principles of our constitutional democratic republic and to the vision of the European Union, which is founded on the protection and promotion of human rights.
Here is the press release of 29th November from the Ministry of the Interior: https://www.interno.gov.it/it/notizie/piantedosi-domani-fiumicino-larrivo-114-rifugiati-provenienti-dalla-libia
