SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has renewed his call on British Prime Minister David Cameron to urgently review the places available in the UK for refugees involved in the Mediterranean crisis who are fleeing violence, persecution and suffering in their own countries.
Mr Durkan’s renewed call comes after the tiny body of a young migrant boy – Aylan Kurdi – was photographed washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Aylan was on an overcrowded dingy with refugees fleeing the war in Syria when it capsized shortly into the crossing to the Greek island of Kos.
Mr Durkan said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the image of young Aylan washed up on the shore of Kos.
“I am also deeply concerned that more than 2,500 migrants – not least women and children – have died in 2015 trying to reach Europe.
“Before the summer recess, I joined MPs in calling on the Prime Minister to recognise the fatal impact of the decision last October to cancel Operation Mare Nostrum – which had mobilised extra warships and aircraft to prevent further tragedies in the Mediterranean.
“The decision to replace Mare Nostrum with the much more limited Operation Triton has resulted in the loss of hundreds – if not thousands – of lives of desperate refugees.
“I am therefore renewing my call on David Cameron to do everything in his power to restore the full provisions of Mare Nostrum – and to urgently review the places available in the UK for refugees who have made attempts to flee violence, persecution and suffering in their own countries.”
