Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-09-28-Speech-3-446-000"

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"en.20110928.24.3-446-000"2
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"Madam President, I had the privilege of heading the delegation which we are referring to, to Shousha Camp. Firstly, we have to keep in mind that of the roughly three quarters of a million people who fled Libya towards the Tunisian border, all that remains is around 60-70,000 Libyans who are being hosted by Tunisian families, and some 4-5,000 refugees – and I repeat as opposed to economic migrants – who are still staying at Shousha Camp. We spent a day at Shousha Camp. We could see for ourselves the difficult conditions in which these refugees live: desert conditions – we were walking in the sand – in a temperature that hovers around the 50° mark, sandstorms which prevent you from leaving the camp or even opening your eyes. Our consolation was that we were there for just one day. But those 4,000 refugees were stuck there, and have been stuck there since June. Therefore we must try and come up with a solution. I would like to acknowledge the work being done by the UNHCR and other international organisations working there. I would also like to acknowledge the huge financial help being given by the European Union. However, I must say, Commissioner, that although the EU is doing a lot, financially, the aid is not at all visible. The only flags you see are UNHCR ones. You do not see any symbols or logos belonging to the European Union, even though we are contributing millions. Now: where shall the refugees go? We cannot send them back to their country. We cannot leave them at Shousha Camp. They could go back to Libya. My hope is that the situation in Libya has changed. Perhaps it will become attractive to immigrants. Perhaps it will not start turning people away, and perhaps people will not start fleeing Libya. But the situation is still in a state of flux and until this changes, it is up to us to intervene. Yes, Europe and other developed nations must take on this task. Other countries which are lending a hand – like the United States – should make us feel ashamed of ourselves because compared to them we are not doing enough. Solidarity towards Tunisia and the refugees is important. It is important because even if we do not help them, they will still come to Europe. They will get on a boat and risk their lives. But there are more dignified alternatives."@en1
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