23 Feb 2011

ITALY / TUNISIA ASYLUM

The UN refugee agency says that over 6,000 Tunisians have landed on the shores of the small Italian island of Lampedusa over the past weeks. Many Tunisians have come seeking employment while others have fled citing fear of violence and a breakdown of law and order in their homeland. UNHCR

Posted at: February 23, 2011 3:27 pm

Duration: 02:46

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: ITALY / TUNISIA ASYLUM
TRT: 2.46
SOURCE: UNHCR
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / FRENCH / NATS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE

DATELINE: 18-19 FEBRUARY 2011, LAMPEDUSA, ITALY

SHOTLIST:

18-19 FEBRUARY 2011, LAMPEDUSA, ITALY

1. Wide shot, Mediterranean Sea with sailing boats
2. Various shots, refugees waiting in line at Lampedusa reception centre, Italian police
3. SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Unidentified young Tunisian man: 
"People were attacked every day. Every day you heard that this man or that woman died."
4. Various shots, group of Tunisian men and women talking to UNHCR staff
5. SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Monia, young Tunisian woman: 
"I had a good job and car for ten years. But now I couldn't leave the house anymore. Girls were abducted, women were raped in their house. But in Tunisia it is impossible to talk about this. It's impossible for a woman to say that she has been raped. She bears it and keeps quiet."
6. Cutaway, young Tunisian men talking
7. SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Houssem, young Tunisian man:
"Every family in Tunisia needs two people in Europe that can help them, because there are no jobs. That's why we make this journey, and risk dying to come here."
8. Wide shot, people celebrating at the Lampedusa reception centre
9. Various shots, UNHCR team talking to a group of Tunisians at the Maritime Museum in Lampedusa 
10. SOUNDBITE (French) Latifa Saadati, Cultural mediator, Trapani Asylum Centre:
"The people are scared. Even of us, at the moment. They have just arrived, and they don't know what awaits them here, at this centre. We try to help the, by giving them the information. But even we don't know what is going to happen to them."
11. Med shot, police watching Tunisians board a bus from Reception Centre
12. Wide shot, coastguard boat

SHOTLIST:

Over 6,000 Tunisians landed on the shores of the small Italian island of Lampedusa over the past weeks.

They said they were looking for a better life, and to escape the chaos and violence of their country.

This man preferred not to give him name.

SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Unidentified young Tunisian man: 
"People were attacked every day. Every day you heard that this man or that woman died."

The few women in the group, who had made a dangerous trip to the island, said that they had fled the country for their safety. Monia lived in Southern Tunisia and she came with her husband, fearing the worst.

SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Monia, young Tunisian woman: 
"I had a good job and car for ten years. But now I couldn't leave the house anymore. Girls were abducted, women were raped in their house. But in Tunisia it is impossible to talk about this. It's impossible for a woman to say that she has been raped. She bears it and keeps quiet."

But most who had made the journey were men like Houssem. He wants to find work to support his family.

SOUNDBITE (Tunisian) Houssem, young Tunisian man:
"Every family in Tunisia needs two people in Europe that can help them, because there are no jobs. That's why we make this journey, and risk dying to come here."

Late one evening a rumor spread though the reception camp that France would take the new arrivals. But that was wishful thinking.

At this maritime museum, now a temporary shelter, UNHCR staff provide information on asylum and international protection.

SOUNDBITE (French) Latifa Saadati, Cultural mediator, Trapani Asylum Centre:
"The people are scared. Even of us, at the moment. They have just arrived, and they don't know what awaits them here, at this centre. We try to help the, by giving them the information. But even we don't know what is going to happen to them."

Some will apply, but most will continue their journeys to other parts of Europe without papers.

Tunisia's political turmoil brought an influx of people to this small island. As the unrest spreads across the Middle East, the authorities believe that they will only see more and more people, desperate to escape the poverty and the violence in their countries.

Filed under 13.01.00 - PROTECTION OF AND ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS ITALY TUNISIA UNHCR - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.