RLS's Elèna Santioli writes about the criminalisation of migrants for Voci Globali

06/04/2022

RLS Islands Project Coordinator Elèna Santioli wrote about the criminalisation of migrants at the borders of Europe for Italian online outlet Voci Globali. An extract in English can be found below and the full article in Italian can be found here.

"With the increasing externalisation of Europe's borders, those seeking international protection have no choice but to take dangerous illegal migration routes. Forced to drive a rubber boat, migrants are arrested upon arrival. In Greece, anyone driving a boat carrying passengers from third countries can be charged with human trafficking. Thus, desperate asylum seekers often find themselves sentenced to life. Sentences handed down in the absence of evidence and in violation of the principle of fair trial."