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Rome feels pressure of migration buildup with makeshift refugee camp Rome feels pressure of migration buildup with makeshift refugee camp
(about 1 hour later)
While passengers at Tiburtina, one of Rome’s main train stations and just a 10-minute ride from the Colosseum, tinkled on the station’s piano or stopped off for an ice-cream, outside there were more urgent matters at hand. While passengers at Tiburtina, one of Rome’s main train stations and just a 10-minute ride from the Colosseum, tinkled on the station’s piano or stopped off for an ice cream, outside there were more urgent matters at hand.
Officials were trying to channel a water tap into a makeshift refugee camp that was opened on Saturday, prompted by the growing number of migrants left in limbo after France increased security at the Italian border.Officials were trying to channel a water tap into a makeshift refugee camp that was opened on Saturday, prompted by the growing number of migrants left in limbo after France increased security at the Italian border.
Around 100 migrants are staying in tents in the shadow of the station, a modern transport hub from where travellers are whisked on high-speed trains to cities including Florence and Milan.Around 100 migrants are staying in tents in the shadow of the station, a modern transport hub from where travellers are whisked on high-speed trains to cities including Florence and Milan.
The camp was opened in a joint effort by the Italian Red Cross and local authorities, after a growing number of migrants began gathering at the train station.The camp was opened in a joint effort by the Italian Red Cross and local authorities, after a growing number of migrants began gathering at the train station.
Alessandro Radicchi, the Red Cross’s director for combating poverty across Italy’s rail network, said the worsening situation prompted the organisation to act.Alessandro Radicchi, the Red Cross’s director for combating poverty across Italy’s rail network, said the worsening situation prompted the organisation to act.
“They’re here because they’ve closed the border; people wanted to go elsewhere in Europe but now the border’s been blocked. This isn’t just a problem today, this is a problem in general,” he said.“They’re here because they’ve closed the border; people wanted to go elsewhere in Europe but now the border’s been blocked. This isn’t just a problem today, this is a problem in general,” he said.
News that France has increased security checks on its border has prompted many migrants to temporarily halt their journey north. Although under the EU law asylum seekers must register at their first point of arrival, most of those arriving in Italy by sea avoid doing so in order to travel onwards to northern Europe.News that France has increased security checks on its border has prompted many migrants to temporarily halt their journey north. Although under the EU law asylum seekers must register at their first point of arrival, most of those arriving in Italy by sea avoid doing so in order to travel onwards to northern Europe.
The new refugee camp is already equipped with beds and toilets. On Saturday an idle digg ing machine signalled the hasty clearing of the building site to make way for the refugees, who have fled from countries including Syria and Eritrea.The new refugee camp is already equipped with beds and toilets. On Saturday an idle digg ing machine signalled the hasty clearing of the building site to make way for the refugees, who have fled from countries including Syria and Eritrea.
But Radicchi was clear that the camp is only a temporary solution; work will begin on Sunday on transforming a disused hotel into accommodation for up to 200 migrants.But Radicchi was clear that the camp is only a temporary solution; work will begin on Sunday on transforming a disused hotel into accommodation for up to 200 migrants.
Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, has called for changes to the EU regulation on where asylum seekers must first register. “If the European Council chooses solidarity, good. If it doesn’t, we are ready for plan B. But it would above all hurt Europe,” he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera, without giving further details.Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, has called for changes to the EU regulation on where asylum seekers must first register. “If the European Council chooses solidarity, good. If it doesn’t, we are ready for plan B. But it would above all hurt Europe,” he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera, without giving further details.
Renzi criticised the EU’s “insufficient” proposal to relocate 24,000 refugees from Italy and said he would discuss the migration crisis in upcoming meetings with the UK’s prime minister, David Cameron, and French president, François Hollande.Renzi criticised the EU’s “insufficient” proposal to relocate 24,000 refugees from Italy and said he would discuss the migration crisis in upcoming meetings with the UK’s prime minister, David Cameron, and French president, François Hollande.
The Italian premier also faces an internal battle, with rightwing politicians rebelling over plans to distribute boat migrants across Italy. Regions across the north were asked by the government to take in 7,500 new arrivals, a request flatly refused by rightwing leaders.The Italian premier also faces an internal battle, with rightwing politicians rebelling over plans to distribute boat migrants across Italy. Regions across the north were asked by the government to take in 7,500 new arrivals, a request flatly refused by rightwing leaders.
The refugee camp at Tiburtina is also intended to take pressure off a nearby Eritrean cultural centre, Baobab, where dozens of migrants queued for a meal. Food donations were piled up alongside toys for the children, who passed their time blowing bubbles and playing with rainbow-coloured windmills. The refugee camp at Tiburtina is also intended to take pressure off a nearby Eritrean cultural centre, Baobab, where dozens of migrants queued for meals. Food donations were piled up alongside toys for the children, who passed their time blowing bubbles and playing with rainbow-coloured windmills.
Despite the calm atmosphere, the centre’s Eritrean cook said none of the migrants wanted to stay in Italy. Although he made the sea journey a decade ago, the cook chose not to give his name for fear of the impact it could still have on his family back home.Despite the calm atmosphere, the centre’s Eritrean cook said none of the migrants wanted to stay in Italy. Although he made the sea journey a decade ago, the cook chose not to give his name for fear of the impact it could still have on his family back home.
New arrivals were equally scared of the backlash they could face from authorities in Eritrea, where citizens face compulsory military conscription and torture is widespread according to Amnesty International. “If you go back, you go to prison,” the cook said.New arrivals were equally scared of the backlash they could face from authorities in Eritrea, where citizens face compulsory military conscription and torture is widespread according to Amnesty International. “If you go back, you go to prison,” the cook said.
Outside the Baobab centre, a group of young Eritrean men said they planned to travel onwards to France. They had intended to head north by bus or train and were surprised to hear they may now face difficulty in crossing the border.Outside the Baobab centre, a group of young Eritrean men said they planned to travel onwards to France. They had intended to head north by bus or train and were surprised to hear they may now face difficulty in crossing the border.
Their counterparts who have already reached north-west Italy tried in vain to enter France on Saturday. Protesting migrants were met with riot police who pushed them back to Ventimiglia, a border town on the Italian coast.Their counterparts who have already reached north-west Italy tried in vain to enter France on Saturday. Protesting migrants were met with riot police who pushed them back to Ventimiglia, a border town on the Italian coast.
Austria and Switzerland have followed France in tightening controls and returning migrants, putting greater pressure on Italy which has seen more than 50,000 people arrive by sea so far this year. Austria and Switzerland have followed France in tightening controls and returning migrants, putting greater pressure on Italy, which has seen more than 50,000 people arrive by sea so far this year.