Press Conference - IOM on migrants situation between Africa and Europe

• published: 24 Apr 2015
• views: 12

By Itayi Viriri, Media and Communications Officer at International Organization for Migration (IOM) Questions asked: Associated Press: What is your assessment of the outcome of the EU summit? New African: Hi Itayi, David Thomas at New African. There's been a lot about the shortcomings of the EU, but what more can African governments and institutions do? What practical measures can they implement, how can they be part of solution? Times of Malta: Operation Triton will be beefed up but its operational area remains unchanged. What is your reaction? The Citizen (Sudan): Why is it that dealing with illegal migration issues it’s only the EU, IOM, UNHCR. What role has African countries played if any? dpa German Press Agency: IOM and UN organizations said yesterday that EU 10-point plan was "minimalist" - why this more positive assessment today? TASS Russia News Agency: Will IOM urge EU to help resolve conflicts in Libya and Syria to stop migration? BBC: Hello, BBC in Cairo here - of course the increase in this phenomenon of migrants crossing the Med on small baots is not new. Can you talk a bit about your advocacy efforts before the latest huge tragedy at the weekend? Times of Malta: It was decided yesterday that major efforts will be made to disrupt migrant traffickers. But the foreign affairs minister of the Tripoli government Muhammed El-Ghirani said his government would not accept any such intervention. What is your reaction? Associated Press: Hi. Karl Ritter from AP. Smugglers often continue to make money off migrants after they arrive in Italy, for example by taking them to northern European countries like Germany and Sweden. What can those countries do to tackle this problem on their end? Ventures Africa (Nigeria): A lot has been said about managing immigrants and the immigration crisis, what can be done to effectively and sustainably address the desire to migrate in Africa. dpa German Press Agency: Destruction of boats: Doesnt's that increase the risk that smugglers turn to other, even less safer vessels? TASS Russia News Agency: There is an impression African governments are not really interested in curbing the wave of migration to Europe. Do you agree? BBC: Aside from the search and rescue operations what measures do you think are necessary to deal with the high numbers arriving in Europe? Associated Press: What's your view on proposals to intervent militarily against people smugglers, to destroy their boats etc... Ventures Africa (Nigeria): What would be your message to intending migrants? Reuters: Do you have any estimate of how many migrants die in the desert on their way to Libya? Reuters: Is there any attempt to freeze the assets of the people trafficking gangs? Thomson Reuters Foundation (London): Can you give any more details about what the survivors told you about the horrific treatment they received at the hands of the traffickers? Reuters: The EU has been accused of being xenophobic. Do you think the EU's arguments against receiving migrants are based on sound arguments? Times of Malta: The summit failed to agree on issued like the so-called burden sharing concept. Neither did it discuss the possibility of fascilitating the process by which refugees gain safer access to the EU. How important are these two overlooked points? Ventures Africa (Nigeria): The migrants say they go to Europe in search of greener pastures. From your experience working with them over the years, will you say they get it? Pan European Networks: What would you say to criticism, particularly from MSF, that the EU is continuing to move in an ineffective direction? TASS Russia News Agency: You said human trafficking is lucrative. Would you agree it means it will last forever and people will continue to drown in the Mediterranean? The Citizen Sudan: You said no action can be taken without the consent of local governments including Libya, yet it is known as you stated yourself Libya has no unified stable government. Is IOM willing to deal with the various Libyan factions who each control a portion of that country? Ventures Africa (Nigeria): Can we get the details on the number and countries of origin of the migrants? The Citizen Sudan: Considering that Arab countries in north Africa are the launch locations of smuggling operations, is there any attempt to involve the Arab League in this process especially the rich Gulf states? Reuters: Any idea why numbers from eritrea have slowed so much?