Demanding an investigation in the death of 73 Eritrean asylum seekers
Svensk-eritreansk samarbetsorganisation För demokratiutveckling
Orgnummer: 802446-5935
PG: 520869-9
E-mail. sesadsam@yahoo.se 5th. October 2009
To: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
commissioner@coe.int
Subject: Demanding an investigation in the death of 73 Eritrean asylum seekers who recently lost their lives in the Mediterranean.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing to your respected Council to highlight and demand a proper investigation in the tragic death of 73 Eritrean asylum seekers who recently lost their lives in the Mediterrennean while trying to reach the shores of Southern Europe (Italy) in search of protection, freedom and a dignified life.
As you are well aware these 73 asylum seekers were part of 78 Eritrean asylum seekers who sailed from Libya on board of a crowded plastic boat on July 28 July this year. One day after departing the Libyan coast the boat ran of out fuel leaving these helpless asylum seekers in distress at sea for three weeks without any rescue either from by-passing vessels or Italy which has an obligation to observe the law of seas or from FRONTEX which heavily monitors Europe’s external borders.
According to accounts given by survivals from this tragedy, while the asylum seekers were in distress and fighting for their lives they saw in distance a vessel passing by and two of them jumbed in the water in a desperate attempt to call for help but neither them nor help did come to their rescue.
As a result of extreme temperatures, thirst, hunger, hopelessness and unfortunately negligence these 73 asylum seekers including 25 women two of them pregnant died and disappeared in the deep waters of the Mediterranean. On the 21 August after three weeks of distress, desperation and extreme determination to stay a live 5 asylum seekers were spoted by a by-passing fishing boat and it was then that the shocking news struck us and anyone with conscience.
In light of the above and in light of the increasingly restrictive asylum policies of the EU in general and Italy in particular we strongly believe that these poor 73 asylum seekers lost their lives due to intended negligence and that these precious lives could have been saved if there was a will and they were looked upon as human beings and not as ‘’illegal immigrants’’. To sit and watch while fellow human beings are in distress at sea fighting to save their lives is not only a violation of the right of these individuals to life and violation of the law of seas but an uncivilized act belonging to the dark ages.
We therefore demand a proper investigation to be carried out in the death of these 73 asylum seekers to find out why they coudn’t be saved and who is to blamed and held accountable for their death?
Expecting to see a serious action taken in this humanitarian and important issue we remain
Faithfuly yours
Swedish-Eritrean Partnership for Democracy
Sweden-Stockholm
Copy:
- United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees
- Amnesty International
- Human Rights Watch
- European Commission for Refugees and Exile
Short URL: https://english.farajat.net/?p=3
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