Lampedusa's Betrayal: A Decade of Lessons and Unchanging Crisis

Lampedusa, a small Italian island, has become a symbol of Europe's response to the migration crisis. The influx of migrants, driven by individuals rather than government recruitment, has changed the nature of migration. Unlike the uneducated rural men of the past, today's migrants are often from the lower middle class, speak English, and have a keen sense of their country's exploitation and a longing for Western institutions. The working conditions have also shifted, with migrants now working in the gig economy. Europe's shifting geopolitics and prioritization of border control over human rights are evident in its partnerships with autocratic regimes and downgrading of human rights in foreign policy. As Europe faces increasing pressure to curb migration and secure critical raw materials for decarbonization, the centrality of human rights is being questioned. Lampedusa serves as a reminder of Europe's growing indifference to the plight of migrants.