Sir — Italy is a beautiful country full of history and culture but not refugees. Refugees seem to be everywhere; they look different and speak a different language although if you get past this simplistic, inaccurate stereotype, you will find they are just normal human beings escaping from horrors that most people have no idea of. Italy was wrong to refuse the shipload of refugees and to tweet it as a ‘victory’ as Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini did because people must be safe even if others are inconvenienced.
Spain showed a kinder heart and a stronger character and acted to help the unfortunate souls. This is only one example of an issue that is going to plague us for a really long time.
Australia, where I live, however, also has a poor approach towards welcoming refugees, at least at the political level. The solution lies not with where they are going but with why they are leaving their own countries. If there was peace and prosperity in those countries, then there would be no refugees. Welcome the lost and work on making life better for all.