An SNP Member of the European parliament joined a migration protest in Strasbourg yesterday, prior to a European parliament debate on the issue.
MEP Ian Hudghton joined hundreds of campaigners last night (Tuesday) as they called for action to tackle the ever growing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.
The group unfurled a 100 metre long list that named the 17,306 people who have died trying to enter the European Union since 1992.
Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, following the parliamentary debate this morning, Mr Hudghton said:
“Is there one simple silver bullet answer to solve the question of immigration to Europe? Probably not.
Recognition
“But that doesn’t mean we should turn our backs on those trying to reach Europe’s shores and hope they stop making the journey or, worse still, simply die in the process.
“Unfortunately this issue has received very little attention over the years until fairly recently.
Scale
“The opportunity to stop, to recognise the sheer scale of the problem and to remember those who perished was an incredibly emotional moment.”
Mr Hudghton has been a Scottish Member of the European Parliament since 1998, when he won his seat after the death of sitting SNP MEP Allan McCartney.
