Open Arms Founder Defends Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Political Backlash

In a powerful response to provocative comments made by Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, Òscar Camps, the founder of the humanitarian organization Open Arms, highlighted the organization's rescue efforts that have saved over 70,000 lives over the past decade. Abascal's call to confiscate and sink Open Arms' vessel, which is currently docked in Tenerife, was met with sharp criticism from Camps, who described such sentiments as fundamentally fascist. "Slave traders were those who traded in slaves. We save lives," Camps affirmed, emphasizing the moral distinction between his organization's mission and Abascal's incendiary rhetoric. The comments sparked a broader discussion about the refugee crisis and the rise of xenophobic discourse in some political circles, with Camps stressing the need for compassion and awareness regarding the dangers faced by migrants. Echoing Camps' sentiments, Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, condemned Abascal's remarks, branding him a 'true fascist.' Clavijo urged leaders with positions of responsibility to exercise caution in their public statements, especially on sensitive humanitarian issues. During a recent press conference, Camps clarified that Open Arms is not meant to replace official maritime rescue operations but aims to shed light on the harsh realities of migratory routes. He noted that their efforts serve as a counter-narrative against the increasingly racist and xenophobic rhetoric that has resonated in certain factions of society. In the decade of its operation, Open Arms has witnessed tragic events, such as the death of over 3,500 children in the Mediterranean Sea, a statistic that weighs heavily on the organization's conscience. Camps referenced the heartbreaking case of Alan Kurdi, a Kurdish-Syrian child whose lifeless body was discovered on a Turkish beach in September 2015, provoking a global outcry and a moment of reckoning regarding the plight of refugees. Unfortunately, Camps remarked, a child continues to die every day in the Mediterranean. Open Arms was born out of the urgent need for humanitarian intervention highlighted by the Kurdi incident, and since its inception, the organization has undertaken various missions, including the rescue of 51 individuals, among them eleven women and three babies, just days prior. As the organization recalls its journey, Camps reiterated the importance of their work and the necessity of remaining vigilant against hateful and discriminatory narratives that threaten the safety and dignity of those seeking refuge. With each life saved and each story told, Open Arms continues its fight for compassion in a world often filled with indifference. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2