The resolution on mass expulsions - voted at European Parliament – is a very important act. It does not only refer to what happens between Lampedusa and Lybia but it also refers to all other European Union countries. This resolution represents an “invitation” to abstaining from mass repatriations and expulsions of asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The resolution was enforced thanks to one single vote.
European Parliament’s directive stands in a European horizon that is complementary to the one of April 1st and 2nd actions and initiatives. April 1st and 2nd initiatives, actions, demonstrations, vigils took place all over Europe in the name of migrant citizens rights, of freedom of movement against detention centres.
In Italy the campaign against Confraternita delle Misericordie, the ones that manage some detention centres, raised debate and rumors; but it most of all led to the fact that in Cormons (Gorizia) local Misericordia declared that they are not to run for the management of the detention centre in Gradisca d’Isonzo (Go).
April 1st and 2nd initiatives against the involvement of ngos and social organizations in the management of detention centres had also another result: they made a discussion that is ongoing inside the 700 Confraternite delle Misericardie pubblic. Many of them finally got to know that some of the Misericordie are earning out of the detention business. Many doubts on the role of Misericodie’s activity at Prefectures and on the principle of charity that they are supposed to be respecting also were raised as well, especially in towns, such as Modena and Bologna, where they run detention centres.
In Italy initiatives denounced the role of airlines in the business of repatriations. In Rome after the occupation of Blue Panorama Airlines, the same company declared that they won’t anymore make their airplanes available to deportations to Lybia.
These are small important victories that show the strength of practises and struggles of citizens through out Europe. The very recent mobilisations in via Corelli detention centre (Milan) and in via Mattei’s one (Bologna) are in continuance with April 1st and 2nd. These mobilisations fought from outside and from inside the existance of ethnic jails: associations, networks and groups from outside and detainees’ hunger strike and press releases from inside.
The system of detention centres is today under attack! The same struggle is putting together everyone, as it evidently appears in via Corelli’s and via Mattei’s detainees’ press communicates.
Migrants are today fighting against casual labour’s devices, against control, command, against detentions and expulsions, against borders.
We therefore consider EU Parliament resolution as an institutional answer to the revolts that everyday take place in the territories where migrant citizens reclaim the right to be human beings.
Inside and outside detention centres, in their managers branches, at airlines migrant precariat reclaims another Europe, which EU Parliament has once taken into consideration.
