Lampedusa's call must be heard or the future of Europe will drown in the Mediterranean

Brussels/Rome 20.09.2023

• • A real EU migration and foreign policy is urgently needed to respond to migration in line with the EU´s values and human rights.
  • On October 3, JEF Italy, joined by 15 youth organisations, will remember in Lampedusa the victims of migration and present a joint declaration for the future of Europe requesting a real commitment for the reform of the EU.

Migration is a structural phenomenon. As Europeans, we cannot continue to pretend that having more border controls or more containment camps, whether in Europe or outside its borders, is a serious and forward-looking way to deal with this challenge. Our societies and institutions cannot keep turning a blind eye to the human tragedy that has been going on for years in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. 

We must act with comprehensive policies that recognise migration´s interplay with global issues like international crises, climate change and inequalities. It is imperative to tackle migration discourses and strategies like criminalisation, securitisation and externalisation which have gained political consensus over the years and led to human rights abuses and the inhumane treatment of migrants.

Governments, contradictorily, claim to support supranational solutions but often undermine them, as seen in discussions on relocations. It is a convenient narrative to scapegoat the EU and lay the blame for Lampedusa at Europe’s doorstep.

The ‘European response’ cannot mean to empower Frontex without oversight, to build walls without addressing relocation or to endorse externalisation agreements. Such an approach erodes our values and credibility and creates a fortress Europe. This is why instead a real EU migration and foreign policy is so urgently needed today. 

“To address migration democratically and humanely, we propose a federalist path for Europe, empowering the EU beyond national responses. This is why reforming the European Treaties is key.” affirms Robin Mudry, Board Member of JEF Europe.

“On October 3, we will unite in Lampedusa, joined by 15 youth organisations, to remember the victims of migration and present a joint declaration for the future of Europe requesting a real commitment for the reform of the EU. Lampedusa echoes a resounding call for a European future that stands apart—a future equipped to confront global challenges while effectively safeguarding our fundamental values.” states Matteo Gori, Secretary General of JEF Italy.

To disregard this plea is to imperil the very core of the EU project itself. The urgency of the moment demands our attention, and Lampedusa’s call must be heard.