Bern, Switzerland [Notizie Avventiste; CD EUDNews]. Another immigrant tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa. This time the numbers are those of a massacre. A boat with 500 people on board caught fire and shipwrecked about half a mile from Conigli Island.
The death of these African migrants" must push us to action," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressing “deep sorrow ” for the victims. ''We need not do anything but reflect on what happened this morning to realize the relevance of this issue,'' Ban said during a debate on immigration at the UN headquarters.
The Adventist Church urges world leaders to commit more resources and increase effort to protect human dignity, end poverty and stop needless immigrant deaths. Tragedies like these should never happen again, through awareness, compassion and brotherly love, it can come to an end. It is unbearable to see innocent people, women and children die this way.
So then we must fight, opposing human trafficking with strength and severity. Any crime, especially this type of crime must not go unpunished.
This Saturday morning the Adventist Church wishes to discuss these events for a few minutes remembering the tragedy of these poor immigrants. We want to offer our prayers and our condolences, we feel the pain and are not indifferent to all that has happened.
We thank the community of Lampedusa and Italian people in general for their discernment in dealing with the issue of immigration. We are confident that the European Union will find the appropriate solution to address this type of problem.
We thank the community of Lampedusa for the hospitality offered to the many immigrants, despite logistical problems and lack of adequate facilities and funds.
Finally, we wish to offer our deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims, may the Lord comfort and console them.
