Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
The Refugee Crisis is about to Worsen
Two activists climb on top of the 197-feet monument Christopher Columbus tower after placing a vest with the words ‘Open Arms’ on the statue in Barcelona, Spain. Activists in Barcelona have dressed in an orange life-vest a statue of 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus to turn attention to the loss of life of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean Sea

A RECENT European Council summit in Brussels was meant to articulate a united policy on the burgeoning refugees and migrant crisis.

Instead, it served to highlight the bitter divisions among various European countries. Considering the gravity of the matter, Europe’s self-serving policies are set to worsen an already tragic situation.
 
True, several European leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, went home to speak triumphantly of a “great victory,” achieved through a supposedly united European position.
 
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini used more derogatory terms in explaining his country’s new policy on refugees and migrants.

“They will only see Italy on a postcard,” he said, referring to refugees who have been arriving in Italy with the help of humanitarian rescue boats.
 
The first of these boats, carrying over 600 refugees and economic migrants, the Aquarius, was sent back on June 11, followed by another, carrying over 200 refugees.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Israeli army vehicles moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on July 6, 2025
Features / 8 July 2025
8 July 2025

RAMZY BAROUD highlights a new report by special rapporteur Francesca Albanese that unflinchingly names and shames the companies that have enabled Israel’s bloody massacre in Gaza

An Israeli Defense Forces tank is towed near the Israel-Gaza border, southern Israel, June 26, 2025
Features / 1 July 2025
1 July 2025

Israel’s genocide in Palestine and wars against its neighbours would be impossible without constant Western support — so we must amplify the brave voices demanding a halt, argues DR RAMZY BAROUD

Masked fans form a ‘Free Palestine’ sign during a Champions League match at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, October 1, 2024
Football / 11 June 2025
11 June 2025

Fifa must be held to account over its continued support for Israel, writes RAMZY BAROUD

Israeli troops move with APC, armored personnel carrier, near the border with Gaza, in southern Israel, May 8, 2025
Features / 15 May 2025
15 May 2025

RAMZY BAROUD on how Israel’s narrative collides with military failure

Similar stories
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and AfD co-leader Alice
Features / 3 January 2025
3 January 2025
With federal elections coming up in Germany in February, NICK WRIGHT takes a look at the class forces shaping the policies of the main parties, and sees little hope of a breakthrough for the left
Italy's deputy premier, Matteo Salvini, shakes hands with a
World / 20 December 2024
20 December 2024
The charismatic leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BS
Features / 26 September 2024
26 September 2024
The new party is growing and winning not only due to its refusal to beat the war drums over Ukraine, but because of its fearless scepticism of liberal orthodoxy from cancel culture to immigration, writes NICK WRIGHT
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage smoking outside the Westminste
Features / 12 September 2024
12 September 2024
As angry voters reject austerity, social insecurity and endless war across Europe, the left should be the beneficiary instead of the far right. NICK WRIGHT looks at the ideological hangups holding us back from connecting to these dissenters