“We ask the Italian government and the European Union to grant a visa to the parents who have lost their loved ones in this great tragedy, so that they can go, perhaps for the last time, at the tombs of their children and tighten the land that now holds them”. The appeal is of Fatima Malekirepresentative of the families of the victims of the shipwreck of the spa of Cutro of 26 February 2023, in which 94 people died, including 35 minors.
The spokesman underlines how many of the deceased were young and children: «In that disaster, the voice of children who had a luminous future was spent forever. Many dreams and desires that lived in the hearts of young people and teenagers have never managed to realize themselves ». The appeal aimed at the Italian government and European institutions is clear and direct so that a seen to the families of the victims who are mainly in Afghanistan to come to Italy and Europe to visit the tombs of their relatives. In Italy there are more than 20 buried people, including 15 in the Islamic cemetery of Bologna; 9 in Cutro, 2 in Crotone and one in Paola.
«We do not want fathers, mothers, grandparents and grandmothers who waited to review their children and grandchildren still remain waiting. It is their natural right to be able to greet, as soon as possible, their loved ones who disappeared », continues Maleki. His message is also a reference to memory and justice: «We do not want these voices off and these interrupted dreams remain buried in the silence of the heart and the world. This request is not only a human appeal, but a moral need to affirm a right and honor the memory of those who are no longer among us».
Finally, on the eve of the last preliminary hearing of the trial against six Italian soldiers in which the possible indictment will be decided, a firm appeal arrives towards the Italian authorities: «When those who should have guaranteed the security of the ship they received rescue calls, they did not pay any attention. Even your police have not intervened. Now, as a state, considering that these people were under your jurisdiction and in the hands of your services, it is you who must answer ».