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THE EUROPEAN UNION has adopted limits on the export of inflatable boats to Libya in a bid to make it harder for smugglers to send migrants to Europe.
The decision by the foreign ministers of the 28 EU states, which also covers outboard motors, is the latest to help a chaotic and violence-torn Libya stem the flow of migrants to Italy, now the main route to the bloc.
“We took a decision to introduce restrictions from today onwards on the export and supply to Libya of the inflatable boats and motors,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.
These are devices are used by traffickers for smuggling activities. This decision we have taken on the European Union level will help make their businesses and lives even more complicated.
An EU statement said there will now be a legal basis to block the supply of dinghies and outboard motors to Libya if there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect they will be used by people smugglers and human traffickers.
The restrictions will also apply to such goods if they are transiting through the EU to Libya – a move which would in theory affect China where many are manufactured.
Fishermen and others who have legitimate reasons to use the dinghies and motors will still be able to import them, the council said.
In practice, EU countries could deny licenses to import-export businesses suspected of supplying smugglers, according to EU sources.
The foreign ministers meanwhile extended until the end of 2018 an EU mission to help Libya re-establish effective controls mainly at its southern borders where sub-Saharan African migrants first arrive.
Libya is struggling to control its long land borders with Sudan, Chad and Niger.
In another bid to stop smuggling, the EU has also trained 113 Libyan coast guard members in the last few months and plans to train another 75 starting in September, Mogherini told reporters.
The EU is facing growing pressure from Italy to stop the flow of migrants to its shores, including demands to make member states admit tens of thousands migrants under a largely unenforced emergency plan launched nearly two years ago.
The Italian authorities have already registered 85,000 arrivals on its coasts in the first six months of the year.
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At no point in the article is there a mention of life being tough for the residents of the flat complex so I’m not sure what “snuffbox” is going on about!!!
The few pictures shown here are great. I wish her the best of luck with the exhibition.
Snuffbox what a judgemental ignorant comment to make about the photographer. This woman has a great eye for capturing life and sharing it with a wider audience, best of luck in her exhibition.
Snuffbox, what are you on about? The pictures are from loads of different people that live and lived in the flats over the years not just the photographers family. Best of luck to her for organizing this exhibition, maybe it will inspire others to remember where they came from.
So what! Lifes just as tough everywhere else these days.she took a few photos just cause her granny was from there.
Hi Snuffbox, I refer you to Vanessa’s comment below,
Thanks, Susan, Editor.
like one of the unbelievables once said. “no matter where you go on holidays you never have to pack a bollix because your always sure to find one”
Love those pictures. Love when an artist/photographer ties in history and life, interesting to see that although we are sixty years on the kids are still the same. I am sure not much has changed in the flat complex either.
I am from Pearse house and it was great to see a lot off people coming in and meeting people that they have not seen in years and I met people that worked with my dad telling all the old stories what they got up two thanks well done xxx
Was a great experience for my mam and myself was great to c people who knew me as a child and knew her and chat and remember old times
Wish I was able to go and visit the flats as my Dad was born and raised in 5b Pearse house
His name was Godfrey ( Golly ) Coffey. my Granny Brigid lived there until she died age 83. I have many happy memories of visiting Grannys and meeting my uncle Vincent and my cousin Brigid who often stayed at my grannys house. Ive lived in Australia a long time now but go back frequently . My sister Barbara is visiting Dublin in August this year so she will make an effort to visit the recreated flat and record some pics for me .
have your say