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The European Union is also supporting the Libyan coast guard to ward off refugees. That is irresponsible, criticizes the EKD council chairman Bedford-Strohm.
Berlin – The chairman of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, has accused the European Union of providing financial support to the Libyan coast guard in order to hold back refugees.
“I think that is irresponsible,” said the Bavarian regional bishop of the German press agency. “The Libyan coast guard consists of former militiamen, so it cannot be a partner for a civil, human rights-oriented organization.” In the Libyan refugee camps, human rights are trampled on and women are forced into prostitution.
Libya is one of the main transit countries for refugees from Africa on their way to Europe. To ensure that fewer migrants come to the European Union via the Mediterranean Sea, the EU has been working for years with the Libyan coastguard and helping them to bring migrants back to the civil war country. The Libyan coast guard has been trained by the EU since 2016. In addition, the EU provides financial aid, for example for border surveillance. According to aid organizations, migrants in Libyan camps are at risk of torture, slavery and abuse.
According to Bedford-Strohm, the refugee ships supported by the “United4Rescue” alliance, including the “Sea Watch4”, have rescued around 2000 people so far. The aid project initiated by the EKD is now supported by 800 organizations. “The Swiss Catholic Bishops’ Conference is there, there are commercial enterprises, parishes – a very broad alliance.”
The rescued must be distributed to the European countries, demanded Bedford-Strohm. There are many cities that have agreed to accept, but this is prevented by the national governments. “I find that unbearable. Every time there has to be negotiation, haggling: Where can rescued people who have experienced bad things go ashore in the first place? That needs to change. That is why we need a European distribution mechanism. ”If necessary, individual states would have to take the lead. “You cannot always, by pointing out that there is still no consensus in Europe, prevent the willing states from finally acting.” Dpa
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