Sir,
It is often said that a lie can go around the world before the truth has got its boots on. This is particularly true in reports on the EU, where coverage is often distorted by confusion and misinformation.
I would like to reiterate to your readers that the EU has no plans to criminalise holidaymakers who act as Good Samaritans and rescue struggling migrants off the coast of Greece.
It is somewhat disheartening that other news outlets are willing to suggest an organisation that has donated millions in humanitarian aid would give people no choice but to watch others drown.
Yes, the European Council conclusions should explicitly acknowledge that some actions
have a humanitarian reason and should never be prosecuted or treated as smuggling.
However, the package is a work-
That’s why it calls for member states to share knowledge and raise awareness on mapping criminal organisations.
Migrant smuggling is a serious form of organised crime, and we cannot simply accept that shoving families on an overloaded boat and leaving it to fate is a viable option. There is a huge difference between migrants and refugees, which has also been glossed over by certain quarters.
I would respectfully encourage your readers to get in touch whenever an EU story that strikes them as suspicious, and I’ll be happy to give them the inside scoop.
Alyn Smith MEP
1, Summerhall
Edinburgh
alyn.smith@ep.europa.eu
Letter: EU will not prosecute migrant rescuers
7 February 2016