Let’s Ask Ourselves: Are There Legal and Safe Routes for Asylum Seekers?

Redazione BnD . 02/10/2024 . Reading time: 4 minutes

When discussing migration to Europe, and particularly to Italy, the dominant narrative seems to focus solely on “illegal” routes: dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean, overcrowded boats, and the human tragedies that often result. However, there are legal and safe pathways for asylum seekers to enter Italy, even though they are little known and, unfortunately, even less used. The case of the twenty refugees who arrived in Rome on September 2, 2023, is a concrete example of how these alternatives can work. A Safe Arrival from Libya: A Flight of Hope On September 2, twenty refugees from various African and Asian countries arrived in Italy from Tripoli, the capital of Libya, via a regular commercial flight. These refugees, from countries such as Togo, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Myanmar, were transferred from Libyan detention centers where they had suffered severe mistreatment and human rights violations. These refugees did not arrive by overcrowded boats or face the dangers of the open sea. They landed in Rome on a safe flight, thanks to a humanitarian evacuation program. They were welcomed by the Community of Sant’Egidio, an organization that, along with other religious and social entities, supports these humanitarian corridors both financially and logistically. Humanitarian Corridors: A Model of Solidarity The “humanitarian corridors” program is a legal, safe, and carefully managed tool to allow those fleeing extreme violence and persecution to find protection in Europe. These projects are mainly carried out by religious organizations and non-governmental associations, such as the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Federation of Evangelical Churches, in collaboration with national governments. The humanitarian corridors model demonstrates how asylum reception can be organized in a safe, legal, and sustainable way, without resorting to the dangerous human trafficking routes. Additionally, it is important to emphasize that these programs do not use public funds; they are entirely supported by the organizations that promote them, helping to debunk another common myth related to migrants: the idea that reception is always at the expense of the State. Why Are They Not Widely Used? Despite the existence of these legal and safe routes, many asylum seekers continue to choose irregular routes, putting their lives at risk. This happens for several reasons:

  1. Lack of Information: Many people in emergency situations are unaware of the existence of humanitarian corridors or other legal possibilities for entering Europe.
  2. Program Limitations: Humanitarian corridors are unfortunately limited to a small number of people and depend on bilateral agreements between countries and organizations. The scope of these projects, while valuable, is insufficient to address the vastness of the migration phenomenon.
  3. Long Waiting Times: For those fleeing wars, persecution, or humanitarian crises, the waiting times required to be included in a humanitarian program can be too long, pushing many to opt for faster but more dangerous irregular routes.
  4. Trafficker Pressure: Human trafficking networks exploit migrants’ desperation, offering false promises of quick and safe journeys, thus fueling irregular flows.
The Importance of Expanding Legal Routes Expanding and enhancing legal entry routes for asylum seekers is not only a matter of justice and humanity but also represents a pragmatic solution to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking. Investing in these corridors means not only saving lives but also promoting a more organized and sustainable reception system. If these legal routes were made more accessible and well-known, more people could avoid the dangers of clandestine routes, with a positive impact on public opinion, which often associates irregular migration with insecurity and disorder. A Model to Follow The case of the twenty refugees who arrived in Italy on September 2 is just one example of how it is possible to reconcile security, legality, and solidarity. These people, who have already suffered terrible violence in their countries and in Libyan detention centers, now have a new chance to rebuild their lives in Italy, welcomed in various regions of the country. Their reception does not burden the public system but is entirely supported by organizations that believe in the importance of offering a future to those fleeing despair. Humanitarian corridors and other legal entry routes represent a concrete and humane response to the migration crisis. However, it is essential that these options are more widely promoted and strengthened. Only in this way can we contribute to reducing human trafficking, saving lives, and demonstrating that alternative solutions to illegal routes exist. Expanding these initiatives is not just a matter of security, but of justice and humanity. The real question we should ask ourselves is: Can we really say there are no safe and legal alternatives?

The cover image was created with FLUX AI

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