A HIGHLY CONTESTED SPACE

ECHOES N.6 - MAY 2023

While the welcoming of refugees from Ukraine demonstrates that another approach with free movement and free choice is always possible, the racist policy of externalising and brutalising the European border regime in the south blatantly continues. At the same time, an increasing number of boats reached close to Italian shores without any support, an expression of a contested space in which the autonomies of migration remain constantly alive.

Despite and against the post-fascist Meloni government, which is backed up by EUpolicies, money and Frontex operations, people exercise their right to move against all risks, obstacles and state led border crimes. Italian Coast Guard units are forced to coordinate rescues in international waters, while the civil fleet appears with even more rescue ships than last year. We have to expect a "hot" summer - beyond the climate crisis - and the future is unwritten. In any case, the struggle to abolish the inhuman borders will continue.

During the first 4 months of the year 2023:

• 45.089 people arrived in Italy by boat, of which a significant number arrived autonomously (UNHCR figure until 14th of May)

• 3.175 people were rescued by the civil fleet from 44 boats in distress (CMRCC figure)

• 5.058 people were pushed back to Libya after they were intercepted by the EU-supported so-called Libyan Coast Guard (IOM figures until the 15th of May)

• 975 died or are reported missing (IOM figure).

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