For all those that understand German, yesterday there were two reports
on German TV exposing Frontex propaganda concerning the so called "ghost
ships". More specifically, this is about the Blue Sky M that approached
Italy on the 31.12.2014.
Frontex claimed that it was an un-seaworthy vessel, and that the crew
had abandoned the ship. Both allegations do not hold, as confirmed by
the Italian prosecutor. For one, the Blue Sky M was sea-worthy, its
latest health check is valid until 2016. For the other, the crew did not
abandon the ship, but mixed with the other refugees. When the Italien
coast guard approached, they revealed themselves and showed the coast
guard how to start the engine and steer the ship.
A refugee on board the Blue Sky M counters the story of the crew being
cruel traffickers, points out that rather, they are themselves from
Syria and they put their nautical knowledge to the task of rescuing
Syrian refugees. One report rightly points out that the crew are indeed
heroes, not criminals.
The reports are by the same author (Stefan Buchen) who is known for
critical investigations into migration and asylum issues. It is very
nice how he is backing the Frontex spokesperson, as well as a German MP
fiercly defending Frontex into a corner. While the first report (13') is
more focussed on the facts, the second (6') deals with the question of
journalistic responsibility and concludes with the statement that from
now on, all journalists should exercise extreme caution with information
coming from Frontex.
http://daserste.ndr.de/panorama/archiv/2015/Fuehrungsloses-Fluechtlingsschiff-Wie-Frontex-die-Wahrheit-verdreht-,schleuser164.html
http://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/zapp/Frontex-PR-Falsche-Fakten-zu-Geisterschiffen,zapp8414.html
The crew is currently incarcerated in Italy, facing human smuggling
charges. I would be interested to know if there are any initiatives
taken to support them and would like to float the idea of at least
creating some kind of statement on a European level. This would nicely
coincide with the "push back Frontex" campaign that was already
mentioned here on the list.
As outlined by that campaign, there seems to be some kind of internal
struggle between Frontex, and its Triton campaign aimed at securing the
borders, and the Italian Mare Nostrum mission. The Frontex propaganda
around the "ghost ships" clearly is a move in that struggle, and it is
good that it started to backfire. However, this might be the arena where
future of the European borders is battled out, and it would be important
to intervene stronger.
Yesterday (sorry, again in German), the EU approved a 14 million
emergency credit to Italy to support the country's accomodation of
refugees. It is decidedly not financial support in order to prolong Mare
Nostrum in any way, rather, Triton has been prolonged until end of 2015.
Clearly, the EU is trying to buy Italy out of Mare Nostrum. Also, it was
reported that there will be a proposal, in 2015, concerning distribution
of refugees in Europe, perhaps a fundamental change to Dublin.
http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/triton-fluechtlinge-101.html
I think all this underlines the notion that in this arena, all the
important issues of European migration and border politics are conjoint,
and we should get involved. It seems like now is the time.
Home »
» German,two TV reports on exposing Frontex propaganda concerning the "ghost ships", Triton prolonged, Dublin reform ?