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Amnesty International disappointed with EU migrant plan

Amnesty International says it is disappointed at new EU plans to resettle 60,000 migrants and ref...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.13 26 Jun 2015


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Amnesty International disappoi...

Amnesty International disappointed with EU migrant plan

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.13 26 Jun 2015


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Amnesty International says it is disappointed at new EU plans to resettle 60,000 migrants and refugees.

In a deal announced this morning, 40,000 migrants will be relocated to other EU states over the next two years.

Also, 20,000 refugees - not currently in Europe - will also be resettled.

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UN figures show more than 100,000 migrants have arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean sea this year, with the most going to Greece or Italy.

The Executive Director of Amnesty International in Ireland, Colm O'Gorman, says although the plan is a start, it's not enough given the scale of the crisis.

"It’s a disappointing outcome frankly. A commitment to re-settle 20,000 refugees who are currently outside Europe is a very long way short of resettlement numbers that are really needed. We know that the UN high commissions for refugees is saying that there are now about a million refugees globally.

"So when you compare that with the scale of response for the EU it’s rather pitiful."

The deal, made by EU leaders in Brussels, will see member states share the burden of 40,000 migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean.

However, there will be no mandatory quotas for each country.

New figures from UNHCR - the UN refugee agency - reveal that 63,000 migrants have arrived in Greece by sea this year and a further 62,000 in Italy.

After late-night talks at the European Council summit, Mr Tusk said: "Leaders agreed that 40,000 persons in need will be relocated from Greece and Italy to other states over the next two years.

"Interior ministers will finalise the scheme by the end of July."

The deal was made amid chaos at Calais as hundreds of migrants took advantage of strike action by French ferry workers to board queuing lorries.

British Prime Minister David Cameron described the situation as "totally unacceptable" and called for the French and British authorities to work together.


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