32. DILEMA KEBIJAKAN OPERASI MARE NOSTRUM TERHADAP ARUS MIGRASI DI ITALIA 2012 – 2015

Abstract

Migration flows in Italy increased post-Arab Spring that happeneed in North Africa and
the Middle East. Libya as a major gateway shipments directly affected migrants from the
Arab Spring so that there is instability in the conditions of the region. Smugglers from
Libya used to send irregular migrants from Libya towards Italy. On the way to Italy, many
migrants suffered at sea, the vessel which carrying migrants was not worth with excess
capacity. Lampedusa tragedy claimed 360 people died at sea, the Italians immediately
responded by establishing an operations to rescue migrants named Operation Mare
Nostrum. This rescue operation received a negative response from the other party, because
the operation regarded as the cause of the high flows of irregular migration in Italy and
spread to other EU countries, then causing a dilemma. Italy have to bear a very high cost to
run the operation alone, but Italy still carry out such operations alone. This research tried
to find the Italian reasons to run Operation Mare Nostrum and effectiveness of the policy.
This research found that Operation Mare Nostrum done in obedience to comply the norm
and it was not so effective in its implementation.