As the situation on the ground in Libya deteriorates with the Gaddafi regime entrenching its hardline position and threatening to kill all opponents, the European Union must seek urgently prevent a humanitarian disaster but also prepare a contingency plan for the possible mass flux of refugees fleeing the country and seeking temporary sanctuary across the Mediterranean.

Renate Weber MEP (PNL, Romania), Liberal Group spokesperson on the Justice and Home Affairs committee commented:
 

"The EU and its partners must, as a matter of urgency, do all it can to prevent a massacre in Libya, by forcing Gaddafi to step down immediately and pave the way for a new era with concrete and substantial support for the Libyan people risking their lives for democracy and freedom."
 

"It is appalling that while thousands of people are being killed, the EU is failing to show the unity and determination to force Gaddafi out due to some EU governments' reluctance to jeopardise lucrative business deals with Libya and fears of massive migrant flows."
 

"If we are faced with a large scale influx of Libyans seeking humanitarian protection then the EU and its Member States will have to apply EU values and laws in force governing such circumstances, including international conventions, related to the protection of the life and the rights of refugees.  Art. 78.3 of the Treaty, specifically provides for the granting of temporary protection and provisional measures in case of the sudden influx of migrants. Anything else would be a dereliction of our international duty."
 

"Leaving aside the hypocrisy of having turned a blind eye to the lack of freedom and democracy in North African countries for decades, the only viable solution now for Libya is for Gaddafi and his regime to go, for they can never be accepted as part of the International Community following the disproportionate and ruthless repression of their own people. The EU and its Member States must show the will and the means to see this through."

 
For more information, please contact:
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Terzi Federica - Tel:+32 2 283 23 24 Mob:+32 494 18 88 31    

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