Effects of The Migration Crisis in Italy
The second decade of the 21st century has seen a peak in cases of migration from third world countries to Europe. The cases reached a peaking point in 2015 and 2016 following an increase in a number of immigrants running away from war-torn nations like Syria and Libya and also dictatorial regimes. Immigrants are in 2016 alone, 1.5 million migrants landed across Europe while 30,000 others lost their lives (SkyNews, 2016). Besides, 181,000 refugees arrived in Italy in 2016 alone (British Broadcasting Cooperation, 2019). Moreover, in 2018, 53,600 migrants applied for asylum in Italy. However, 76% of the cases were not approved (Statista, 2020). Further, the migration issues have raised bitter debates in Italy such that it has permeated the political sphere. For instance, the immediate former interior minister, Matteo Salvini, barred several rescue ships carrying refugees from entering Italian waters. Therefore, this paper looks into how the immigrant crisis has affected Italy and how the Italian cinema responded to the crisis.
Italy holds the highest number of refugees in Europe. Therefore, it has been impacted greater than any other European nation. For instance, the influx of immigrants has overburdened the already weak social system in Italy. The biggest impact is on the burdening of the healthcare and social services systems that have to factor in the extra people seeking care. The crisis is compounded by Italy’s current economic crisis. Hence it is struggling to support the huge number of migrants arriving daily within its borders. Therefore, employment rates have gone up as migrants take up some of the jobs that could be reserved for Italians. Further, the migrant crisis has led to the rise of populist leaders, like Matteo Salvini, with his far right-leaning ideologies (Stille, 2018). Besides, the Italian coast guard is severely stretched as it patrols its borders, searching for migrants and their vessels. However, claims that migrants have led to a surge in crime are unfounded. On the contrary, crime rates have been dropping (McMahon, 2017). Therefore, refugees are not the antisocial misfits they are depicted to be.
Following the crisis, the Italian cinema has been more sympathetic to the refuge crisis. For instance, the film “La Prima neve” depicts the integration of refugees into society (Colella, 2017). The movie shows how an old woman helps a child to integrate into society. Additionally, the comedy “Tolo” castigates the Italian populism and far-right leanings while also emancipating for the rights of immigrants (Tondo, 2020). Therefore, the Italian cinema industry has been largely sympathetic to the migrants and championed for the protection of their rights, a far departure from their discriminatory tone three decades ago.
The clips showing immigrant journeys through the Mediterranean Sea were harrowing. The immigrants travel in dangerously packed dingy where men drown in the perilous journey. Besides, many fall sick, suffer from dehydration, and psychological trauma. Worse still, most of those who are rescued will not secure asylum in Europe (SkyNews, 2016). Therefore, the inhumane treatment that the smugglers inflict on the immigrants has strongly motivated me to pursue a better course for the immigrants. My wish is that the refugees should receive fair treatment because they have already suffered in their journey to Europe. Additionally, it is my wish that governments enact laws to protect the rights of refugees. Moreover, it is my wish that we solve the very problems pushing immigrants from their home countries to Europe.
References
British Broadcasting Cooperation (9 July 2019). Italy’s Salvini shuts Europe’s one-time largest migrant centre. BBC News. www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48920235
Colella, F. (2017). The Representation of Migrants in Italian Cinema, from the Stereotypes to the Socio-Political Mission of Present-Day Film Directors. Italian Sociological Review, 7 (2), pp.165-181. http://dx.doi.org/10.13136/isr.v7i2.172
McMahon, S. (2017). The politics of immigration during an economic crisis: analysing political debate on immigration in Southern Europe. Journal of ethnic and migration studies, 44(14), pp.2415-2434. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2017.1346042
Statistica (2020). Number of unaccompanied and separated children arrived by sea in Italy in 2018, by nationality. Statistica. www.statista.com/statistics/693521/unaccompanied-migrant-children-arrivals-to italy by-country-of-origin/
Stille, A. (9 August 2018). How Matteo Salvini pulled Italy to the far right. The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/news/2018/aug/09/how-matteo-salvini-pulled-italy-to-the far right
SkyNews (2 October 2016). Europe’s Migration Tragedy: Life and death in the Mediterranean [Video file]. www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8cg5hhHJlA&t=64staly to the far right
Tondo, L. (10 January 2020). Italian comedy about migrant crisis infuriates far right. The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/10/italian-comedy-tolo-tolo migrant-crisis-infuriates-far-right-italy-salvini