People-smuggling 'kingpin' Mered Medhanie extradited to Italy

[JustAnotherGen]

3. It cannot just be Italy's problem

They are just the landing place. But in this case -- the smuggler is laughing at the pain these people are in. If you engage in this activity - do it from the heart.

"Although he was operating thousands of miles away, his criminal activity was impacting the UK. Medhanie no doubt thought he was beyond the reach of European justice but we were able to support the Italians by tracking him down to Sudan."

Italy's Corriere Della Serra newspaper reported that Mr Medhanie boasted of being in league with local officials in Tripoli, Libya, while also having a network of workers in Italy.
He charged migrants up to €5,000 (£3,900; $5,680) to travel from African countries to northern Europe, the newspaper said (in Italian).

For a rickety broke down boat?

He counted on them dying.

No leader is perfect - but this Renzi last summer: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/23/mediterranean-migrant-crisis-not-italy-but-europe

The history of humanity has been marked by migration flows, but it is fear that allows shallow demagoguery, and sometimes open racism, increasingly to inhabit Europe’s politics – to the extent that it has been the decisive factor in several recent elections.

But we must respond to fear with political courage.

The country I represent, Italy, has saved countless human lives over the past months. I’d like to pay tribute to the women and men, both military and civilian, who even now are displaying solidarity and courage in keeping our fellow human beings alive. Aboard the ships of our navy and coastguard, three babies have been born in the past six months.

My father in law died in January well into his 80's. He was heavily involved in relief efforts to help these newcomers to Europe. And he stood with the migrants last year who threatened to sink their boat (quite a few children on board) unless Italy let them in.

The media describes these people as cruel - they focus on the Northern League. They shroud calls for help and assistance in PIGS stories. So Renzi pointing out the fall of Libya without a plan for the aftermath of that "deposing" (my word) gets ignored.

The best thing going for this guy is that Europe is watching. In Italy you are guilty until proven innocent. But - I think this trial is going to be a referendum on the world - including our (the U.S.) activities that lead to this mass of people fleeing cruel regimes.