The Politics of Dehumanization
Italy’s Approach to Modern Undocumented Migration
Human migration has played an instrumental role in developing the modern day nation-states we see today. Migration was once seen as common practice in early human history. However, the perception of human migration has shifted from being seen as a positive practice to a negative one. Migrants have become common targets for exploitation by employers, and are often dehumanized through political rhetoric, racist and discriminatory propaganda, and lack of access to basic human necessities ( ex. clean drinking water, shelter, access to health services, etc). In The Politics of Dehumanization, we will examine Italy as a case subject for discussing how the political arena views and works with migrants.
Modern Day Migration
Between 60,000 - 70,000 years ago, early homosapiens began the process of migrating from modern day Africa to what is now known as Euro-Asia. This early migration would lead to the creation of diversity among homosapiens as the continued migration kept in pursuit. If we fast forward to the present, humans have continued to migrate for a variety of reasons.
Today, those who leave their country of origin on a trek for a form of opportunity are referred to as migrants. Migration, as defined by the United Nations International Organization for Migrants (IOM) is,
Today, human migration typically holds ties to a search for opportunity (economic, education, family reunification), or fleeing from persecution, war, or environmental/natural disasters. The IOM recorded that in 2017, there were over 258 million migrants globally.
65% of the 258 million migrants are from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Myanmar. ( IOM, 2019)
Migrants wishing to enter Europe often enter through Italy, Greece, Malta, or Bulgaria.
Many migrants travel to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea route, which would require them to travel via boat from Algeria, Tunisia, or Libya which the distance is showcased via the map to the left.
Italy & the European Migrant Crisis
Between 2015 - 2018, a rise in migration to Europe began. This period was coined internationally as the "European Migrant Crisis." Italy along side Greece and Hungary began to see a rise in migrants illegally entering the states through traveling by boat. Many migrants were using Italy as an entrance point on their journey to northern European countries, such as France and Germany.
The Italian government originally aided the EU in land/sea search and rescue missions, however the states attitude towards accepting migrants was less than enthusiastic. In the last 4 years, the Italian government has been involved in numerous controversies which altered their relationships with nations around the world.
Below, is an immage of an EU ship used to aid in rescuing and transporting migrants found at sea. This ship is a part of the Italian forces.
Migrants who are traveling by sea to enter Europe, are often exploited by local traffickers. Smugglers will accept payments to transport groups of migrants via rafts/boats from beaches in Libya to Europe. Migrants travel from a range of nation states to seek these services, however many are unaware of the conditions of the rafts and of what the experience will entail. Boats are often overcrowded, lacking necessary supplies, and are not operated by licensed individuals, which has lead to the death of over 5,000 migrants since 2014. (UN, 2017)
Matteo Salvini, The League, and Italys 2018 Election
The Italian government has stated repeatedly that it is not the responsibility of their state to care for the illegal migrant community. In March of 2018, the Italian elections were dominated by the populous right-wing party named the League. Although they did not win the entire election, due to forming a coalition with the Five Star Movement. The Five Star Movement, is an anti-establishment, right wing party, that won the Presidency in the 2018 election, allowing for the League to rise alongside it.
Matteo Salvini, a member of the League who was appointed to the position of Interior Minister, has been accredited for shifting Italy's views on migrants from the middle ground to the extreme unacceptance. He has continued to in act laws that target all migrants, those who enter Italy legally and those who do not.
Salvini ran his campaign on the promise that he would deport 500,000 migrants and worked tirelessly to spark a nationalist movement across Italy. Since taking office, he has block NGO organizations from aiding migrants or running search and rescue missions. He has attempted to suspend all asylum applications in process until he can reach agreements with the European Union in regards to how many migrants Italy is taking in. Recently, he has passed legislation that makes it legal to deport any migrant on suspicion, for example, of selling drugs.
Deportation
Prior to the 2018 election, former Deputy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, worked with Muammar Gaddafi, former Dictator of Libya. The two reactivated a treaty of friendship, as a means to lower the number of migrants traveling to Italy and Europe. The Libyan government began arresting and detaining all who attempted to migrate, holding them in detention centers indefinitely. Reports later emerged stating f the massive human rights violations being committed within these detention centers at the hands of Libyan officials. The Italian government continues to partner and provide funds to Libya in return for their cooperation over the "migrant crisis."
One of the campaign promises of both Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the League, and the Five Star Movement was increasing deportations of illegal migrants. The Italian Government continues to partner with Libya in regards to preventing migrants from leaving Libyan shores. However, Deputy Prime Minister Salvini is determined to deport 500,000 migrants. This statement although powerful rhetoric is an expensive task that would require alliances and negotiation with all nation-states who have citizens illegally migrating into Italy. Italy has already damaged relationships with Tunisian officials due to a comment made by Salvini stating that in reference to Tunisia, "isn't exporting gentlemen, it seems more often they're exporting convicts."
What is the "Mateo Decree?"
In late 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini proposed a national security bill, named the Mateo Decree, centered around as, he described, "strengthening the fight against the mafia and human traffickers." The bill focuses on the government's response and treatment of illegal migrants in Italy. One of the most controversial elements of the bill has been the proposed changes to the humanitarian permit. The humanitarian permit is an element of Italy's immigration policies, which is used to describe individuals who enter Italian borders with no specific grouping, however it is identified that the individual is in danger. Matteo wants to change the requirements surrounding the humanitarian permit, to be stricter and will focus on if the individual is entering Italy due to a natural disaster and/or medical condition. Salvini is also hoping to raise the number of crimes listed that would cause for asylum applications to be denied. He states, that this provision will allow for applications for asylum to be immediately denied if the applicant is deemed "socially dangerous or convicted in the first instance." Many who oppose the bill have stated that these provisions are a form of discrimination and are targeting migrants based on circumstances they are unable to control. The Five Star Movement, a strong ally to Mateo and his party The League, have even spoken out in concern over elements of the bill.
"This means that the immigrant is already judged because of his condition and that he's already considered a public menace, whatever his behaviour. This is a bad sign."
Bishop Nunzio Galantino, September '18
Pictured below is one of many protest to show Italian unity against teh Matteo decree and ongoing mistreatment of migrants both with legal and illegal status.
Across Italy many mayors have been fighting against the laws being passed by Matteo Salvini and his party. They have been declaring their towns as sanctuary states for migrants and have allowed them to enter against the orders of the "Mateo Decree".
Leoluca Orlando (pictured on the left) is the mayor of Palermo- the capital of Sicily. He has been leading the fight against Matteo Salvini and the anti-migrant movements. He was the first politician to refuse to follow the Mateo Decree and has since been allowing migrants to settle in the district. His decision sparked action, allowing for six other mayors to follow in his footsteps, allowing migrants to settle unbothered.