Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

Migratory borders between France and Italy: racist controls, irregularities and returns

  • Nearly 94,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since the beginning of 2023. According to Médecins Sans Frontières, 13,300 people have been returned or detained at the border, about 80 people a day. Several experts report irregularities and “racist controls” in immigration policies.

21 August 2023 - 08:00
Last updated: 11:21
Ventimigliako (Italiako) irudia. Ventimigliako (Italiako) irudia.

A total of 94,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since the beginning of 2023, most of them from the Mediterranean. However, many decide for different reasons, such as language, not to stay in it and try to go to other countries. Ventimiglia (Italy), one of the countries bordering the French State, and Mécos Sin Fronteras (MSF), has denounced “discriminatory” conduct.

According to data published by the French Public Prosecutor’s Office, between January and June 2023, 13,300 people have been returned or detained, about 80 people a day, 30% more than the previous year.

Migrants are often put into goods containers: they are held in the afternoon, they spend the night there and driven out the next day.

Italian spokeswoman Medicos Sin Fronteras, Silvia Mancini, interviewed by El Diario, explains that Ventimiglia is a country full of people and a lot of movement. It clarifies that "stops" often occur. The MSF mobile hospital has treated 320 people between February and June, 215 of whom have been seriously ill.

Irregularities

Mancini complains that irregularities are occurring in the French State, such as the lack of translators and intermediaries. Consequently, the lack of communication between migrants and agents is highlighted. “Migrants don’t know why they are returned, and agents don’t know what migrants say,” he adds.

In addition, it has denounced the use of techniques to avoid international treaties, such as saying that minors are older, allowing them to have fewer protective measures.

Returns

Silvia Mancini explains that migrants systematically return to their places of origin. It says that the situation of each person is “ignored” and that, therefore, “international protection is violated”.

“They translate pregnant women, older adults, minors and minors without parents, although international treaties state otherwise.”

The situation in France is similar: “They translate pregnant women, older adults, minors and minors without parents, although international treaties state otherwise.”

In addition, migrants are often introduced into the goods containers, who use them to keep them for a few hours: they hold them in the afternoon, spend the night there and drive them out the next day.

Racist treatment

France made some changes to its immigration policy in 2015, following the attack that caused 130 deaths in November. After a few years, attorney Anna Branbilla states that nowadays border control is carried out systematically, something that we can also see daily in Euskal Herria on the Bidasoa border and in other steps.

However, it explains that these systematic measures are absolutely discriminatory: “Border control depends on ethnicity, that is, if a racialized person crosses borders the police automatically stops them.”


You are interested in the channel: Migrazioa
2025-01-29 | Leire Ibar
The trial of those accused of helping migrants cross the border in Corrika is postponed to October 7
The trial of seven citizens, scheduled to take place this Tuesday in Bayonne, has been postponed for eight months. In last year’s Corrica, crossing the Santiago bridge between Irún and Hendaye, the French Justice has accused 36 migrants of having helped them enter the... [+]

2025-01-27 | ARGIA
Denounce immigration policies and demand the impeachment of the defendants on the threshold of the trial
Around 2,000 people gathered on 26 January during the march from Irun to Hendaye to denounce Europe’s “murderous” migration policies. They have supported activists prosecuted for helping several migrants cross the border when they ran. The activists will be tried in... [+]

2025-01-27 | Aritz Arrieta
The Basque host country?

To be honest, I don't know why I'm writing this. In today’s hostile environment, opinions of this kind are not well received. Perhaps LUZ will not publish this because it does not correspond to the opinions they have published so far (but if they have finally decided to publish... [+]


The fight between Trump and Democratic prosecutors may hinder the deportation of migrants
John C. from USA Judge Coughenoiur has approved a joint appeal filed by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon, rejecting Donal Trump’s decree to expel children of non-legal migrants born in the United States.

The Basque Country Welcome Village

We Basques move our feet behind the witness of Korrika to proclaim that we want to survive as a Basque people in favor of our language, with the aim of the Basque Country we desire.

The tipi-tapa is the first step taken by a migrant person who leaves his homeland in Africa,... [+]


State of emergency on the border with Mexico: Trump Starts Hunting Migrants
Donald Trump has begun his investiture speech saying that "the decline of the United States is over" and that "there is no turning back." Among other things, it has promised to put an end to the rights of trans and non-binary people, as well as to renewable energy policies.

2025-01-17 | Antxeta Irratia
More than 1,000 self-incriminations collected by the J’accuse campaign
In Irun they have called for the collection of self-accusation signatures at Plaza San Juan on Saturday, January 18, from 10:00 to 13:00. The agents have called to participate in the demonstration that will begin on 26 January in Irun ‘massively’ to denounce ‘racist and... [+]

The work of the Gautxori group is strengthened in the Irun Reception Network
The Irun Reception Network made a review of 2024. Compared to the previous year, more migrants have passed through the network, and the receptions of the Gautxori group have multiplied by four.

Ararteko believes that the operation developed in the Martutene Augustine building was carried out to identify the inmates
On 14 March last year there was a major police operation in the occupied building of the Augustinians of Martutene, at the hands of the Municipal Police, the Ertzaintza and the National Police: A total of 56 people were taken from the building and 29 were transferred to the... [+]

2024-12-27 | Leire Ibar
The success of the champagne industry is based on exploited labour
The Guardian newspaper analysed the situation of migrants working in the champan industry in Épernay, France. The study reveals the precarious and illegal conditions of those working in vineyards of luxury mushroom brands.

2024-12-26 | Leire Ibar
More than 10,500 migrants have died this year in the attempt to reach the Spanish coasts
In 2024, more than 30 migrants a day have died on average while trying to reach the shores of the Spanish State. Walking Borders has recorded 10,457 deaths and counted 131 boats that have disappeared "without trace". This figure is 58% higher than the previous year, the highest... [+]

Orange alerts

The poor management of the Valencian cold drop has led to a change in adverse meteorological alerts, as shown in the first season of "winter". Faced with the threat of rivers overflowing in Hego Euskal Herria, the indications for protection came along several paths, since no... [+]


Izar Mendiguren. Always in the new sauces
"Living I in Basque does not mean closing the doors to other languages and cultures"
First the Aiaraldea Media was founded and then Faktoria. They are based in Laudio, where Izar Mendiguren works. Journalist, bertsolari, musician, militant... The ruling states that two seats cannot be covered with a rear seat, but Mendiguren’s capacity is greater.

2024-12-18 | Mara Altuna Díaz
International Day of Migrants | Alberto Flór-Uranga, pastor
"America has given me a lot, but I too have given America a lot."
At the age of 20, Alberto Flór-Uranga left from Mutriku to Idaho (USA). Lonely, lost in the mountains, often looking at their coyotes and bears. "I would certainly do it again," he says, remembering those times.

Eguneraketa berriak daude