Activist Pia Klemp recently stirred controversy by rescuing thousands of migrants traveling the Mediterranean in search of safe harbor. Refugees fleeing political instability in the Middle East and Northern Africa have been arriving by the thousands on European soil. In particular, many migrants hailing from sub-Saharan Africa have undertaken the dangerous journey by attempting to board rafts off the coast of Libya in order to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and the promise of a better life in Europe. Pia Klemp has helped over 6,000 migrants cross the turbulent Mediterranean Sea by locating their ill-equipped and overcrowded rafts off the coast of Libya, helping them aboard one of the various search-and-rescue ships she has captained, and taxiing them to the shores of southern Italy.
Klemp’s actions have sparked a great deal of controversy, because Italy (like many other European nations) has closed its borders and refuses to accept refugees seeking asylum. Europe’s refugee crisis has simply overwhelmed other nations like Greece who have set up overcrowded makeshift camps to house refugees while asylum claims are handled – a process which can take up to two years. Similarly, it’s currently estimated that over 10,000 migrants now live in homeless encampments across Italy alone.
Klemp has aided the illegal immigration of African migrants to Italy and as a result is currently awaiting trial in Italy where she could face up to 20 years in prison. Those prosecuting Klemp in Italy argue that migrant taxiing does nothing to solve the root cause of the problem: political instability in sub-Saharan African countries. Italian prosecutors also argue that although Klemp’s actions may be driven by altruism, they have resulted in dire consequences in reality. The death rate of refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean has risen sharply of late, and this may very well be because migrants now know that rescue vessels, such as Klemp’s ship, are sailing the Mediterranean. The greater the number of rescue vessels present (or believed to be present), the greater the chance migrants believe they have of being rescued at sea, and therefore, the greater the number of migrants willing to risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, Klemp and her supporters argue that the migrants are legitimate asylum-seekers who are willing to risk their lives in attempting to cross the Mediterranean on what are often inflatable pontoon boats. Some migrants have been quoted as saying that they would rather die than go back.
–DISCUSSION QUESTIONS–
Is it morally permissible for Klemp to continue to rescue migrants and transport them to Italy? Is Klemp doing more harm than good?
Why should you follow the law of another country if you believe it to be unjust? When (if ever) is it okay to break the law? Is Klemp justified in circumventing Italian law in this instance?