This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-13826315
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UN urges refugee 'solidarity' within European Union | UN urges refugee 'solidarity' within European Union |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has called for "solidarity" within the EU to deal with an influx of migrants to the bloc. | The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has called for "solidarity" within the EU to deal with an influx of migrants to the bloc. |
| Mr Guterres was speaking on Italy's island of Lampedusa, where thousands of north African migrants, including many Libyans, have arrived recently. | Mr Guterres was speaking on Italy's island of Lampedusa, where thousands of north African migrants, including many Libyans, have arrived recently. |
| But he said that "for Europe as a whole it is a drop in the ocean", saying that many migrants had gone elsewhere. | But he said that "for Europe as a whole it is a drop in the ocean", saying that many migrants had gone elsewhere. |
| Actress Angelina Jolie is also visiting Lampedusa as a UN goodwill ambassador. | Actress Angelina Jolie is also visiting Lampedusa as a UN goodwill ambassador. |
| 'Huge pressure' | 'Huge pressure' |
| Mr Guterres's visit to Lampedusa - a tiny island in the Mediterranean - is to see for himself the crowded conditions faced by the migrants. | Mr Guterres's visit to Lampedusa - a tiny island in the Mediterranean - is to see for himself the crowded conditions faced by the migrants. |
| More than 40,000 refugees, including a large number of Libyans, have descended on the tiny island, often making the crossing in crowded, unsafe boats. | More than 40,000 refugees, including a large number of Libyans, have descended on the tiny island, often making the crossing in crowded, unsafe boats. |
| Some have been escaping the violence in north Africa, whilst many have seen an opportunity to get into the EU. | Some have been escaping the violence in north Africa, whilst many have seen an opportunity to get into the EU. |
| "When one looks at the situation in Libya, about one million people left Libya after the conflict started and less than 2% came to Europe. So, sometimes the debate in Europe is - in my opinion - a debate that doesn't correspond to the reality," Mr Guterres said. | "When one looks at the situation in Libya, about one million people left Libya after the conflict started and less than 2% came to Europe. So, sometimes the debate in Europe is - in my opinion - a debate that doesn't correspond to the reality," Mr Guterres said. |
| He admitted that "for a small island like Lampedusa, to have such a large number of people coming is a huge pressure". | He admitted that "for a small island like Lampedusa, to have such a large number of people coming is a huge pressure". |
| But he stressed: "I believe that with adequate forms of solidarity this challenge can be overcome." | But he stressed: "I believe that with adequate forms of solidarity this challenge can be overcome." |
| Thousands of migrants have been sent to camps on mainland Italy, leading to a political row with other EU countries which fear the migrants may cross their borders. | Thousands of migrants have been sent to camps on mainland Italy, leading to a political row with other EU countries which fear the migrants may cross their borders. |
| Others have been sent back to Tunisia. | Others have been sent back to Tunisia. |
| In her role as the UN goodwill ambassador, Ms Jolie will also be present on Lampedusa, just as the UN celebrates World Refugee Day on Monday. | In her role as the UN goodwill ambassador, Ms Jolie will also be present on Lampedusa, just as the UN celebrates World Refugee Day on Monday. |
| It is the 60th anniversary of the UN's refugee convention, and the agency will present its annual report at a conference in Rome. | It is the 60th anniversary of the UN's refugee convention, and the agency will present its annual report at a conference in Rome. |
| Refugees will also be taking part in the meeting but it comes at a time when the host nation is making it tougher for migrants to stay. | Refugees will also be taking part in the meeting but it comes at a time when the host nation is making it tougher for migrants to stay. |
| Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government is under pressure to keep down the number of refugees arriving in the country. | Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government is under pressure to keep down the number of refugees arriving in the country. |
| Italy has just issued a new decree increasing the amount of time an illegal migrant can be held from six months to a year and a half. | Italy has just issued a new decree increasing the amount of time an illegal migrant can be held from six months to a year and a half. |