Numbers of the latest arrivals

Over the past 48 hours, numerous boats have docked into Sicilian ports. Whilst last night the disembarkation procedures of 361 migrants were being completed in Messina, Catania witnessed the arrival of 300 migrants, rescued by an oil tanker, and transported to the coast by tug boats. Among them there were a few women and one […]

Press release from the lawyers of the Syrian video author of the scandal of the Lampedusa CSPA

The non-profit organisation Borderline Sicilia has released a press statement drawn up by the lawyers of Khalid, the young Syrian author of the video making public the treatment of the guests of the Lampedusa immigrant reception centre, where he, with 26 other migrants, is still being held after more than two months. Catania, 21/12/13 We […]

Exploitation and neglect in the Trapani region

If you want a good idea of how the government manages immigration, just take a trip to the province of Trapani. As we have often said and reported, Trapani is the experimental laboratory in which the government tests out firsthand its policies towards migrants (since the Serraino Vulpitta). As well as the Milo CIE and […]

A “surprise” for Catania’s Astalli Centre

from ARGOCATANIA – Why such a hurry after so much inertia? And above all why so much approximation and dilettantism? That’s what the volunteers at the Astalli Centre have been asking themselves after being requested by the Catania local government to sign the extended renewal of the Don Pino Puglisi Reception Centre. That’s good news, […]

Chapter Ten: Goodbye!

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski With the blink of an eye, three months have passed and I am finding myself on a plane high above the earth, heading back to Berlin. The last days were hectic, as they usually are when leaving one life and heading towards another. Until now, I have barely thought […]

Chapter Nine: Riace, Città d’Accoglienza – a Visit in Utopia?

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski Wednesday morning, 10.30am. I am sitting on the little square in Riace, a 1700-people village in Calabria, southern Italy. Around me elderly men, locals from the village who spend their time chatting, watching what is going on, dozing off in the shade. People here know each other, greet passersby. […]

Chapter Eight: Beyond Italy – Solidarity Activism Across EU Boundaries.

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski When I finally set foot on Sicilian lands again, I felt relieved. An eventful week lay behind me, thoughts kept racing through my head, and I had gotten more and more impatient as I was waiting to be allowed to leave the ferry from Tunis, which had reached Palermo […]

Chapter Seven: Sbarco

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski The last week here has been pretty much bizarre, absurd, almost unreal…. now, Friday night, I am left with a curious mix of anger, helplessness, frustration and a great number of questions on my mind. On Monday, the Italian Refugee Council (CIR) and a range of other organisations celebrated […]

Chapter Six: Mineo

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski On the occasion of World Refugee Day on June 20, the Antiracist Network Catania organised a press conference on June 21 at the CARA of Mineo. After many protests last year regarding the living conditions for the almost 1900 asylum seekers at the CARA, this year has been much […]

Chapter Five: Without any choice?

A Sicilian Diary of Nina Perkowski Today is the 20th of June, the day the United Nations has declared as World Refugee Day. Every year, demonstrations, celebrations, and all sorts of actions are organised around the world to raise awareness for the plight of those displaced and to promote tolerance towards and support of them. […]