It took the deaths of 800 refugees in a single incident in the Mediterranean, last April, to spur European leaders into action. But while they promised comprehensive action to deal with the forced displacement of populations through wars and persecution, they failed to deliver when challenging measures were proposed. Now that a further 185 people have drowned, during a search and rescue operation involving the LÉ Niamh, prevarication is no longer an option.
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said the tragedy was a reminder of the consequences of not putting a complete solution in place. Search and rescue operations could not continue indefinitely, he added and there was a need to tackle the root causes of the migrations. He is absolutely correct. While individual EU governments have supported regime change in African and Middle Eastern countries, they have not been prepared to accept responsibility for the unintended consequences. According to the United Nations, an estimated 60 million people have been forcibly displaced this year, the greatest movement of refugees since the second World War.
Recession in Europe and the growing influence of xenophobic parties in many countries have made the resettlement of refugees a toxic political issue. Heads of government throughout Europe are under pressure, none more so than Britain's David Cameron who faces challenges from within and outside his party as he prepares for a referendum on EU membership. Incidents at Calais, however, recede into insignificance when compared to what has been happening in the Mediterranean. Italy and Malta have taken in the majority of refugees. But, as the death toll mounts at sea, there is evidence that migration routes are moving east. Last Wednesday, the Greek coastguard rescued 533 migrants from 16 boats in the Aegean.
The crew of the LÉ Niamh had a traumatic experience when they recovered the bodies of men, women and children who had drowned within sight of rescue. Some 700 people had been crammed on to a small boat with a capacity of about 40. When it capsized and sank within minutes, those below deck stood no chance of being saved. Nevertheless, the Naval crew managed to rescue 367 migrants from the water and yesterday they were transferred to Sicily.
The European Union is in danger of losing its way as a cohesive group of states based on humanitarian values with the concept of solidarity at its core. Influence seeped away from the European Commission following the economic crash of 2008 and national interests have come to dominate the agenda.
Rejection by member states of commission proposals for a quota system involving the resettlement of refugees reflects that drift. It is time to revisit its founding principles.