From the 21st to the 27th of July, activists from around Europe will converge in Puglia, on the heel of Italy, for an international anti-racist and no border camp. The initiative for the camp is promoted by Tavolo Migranti and the noborder network, in co-operation with other anti-racist and migration groups. [Background]

Constructed around the themes of border controls, migrant work and citizenship rights, it will be the first noborder camp in Italy. Puglia has been chosen due to its location as a major point of arrival and exit for migrants originating from the Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Puglia is also the site of two administrative detention centres and the location of thousands of migrants, who work under conditions of total exploitation, especially in the agricultural sector.

The camp comes at a time when the Italian government are strengthening migration controls through enacting the "Bossi-Fini" law, which allows migrants to work in Italy only if they obtain a work permit in their country of origin, essentially scrapping the right to asylum. The government is also furthering the contruction of CPTs, Centres of Temporary Permanence, newspeak for detention centres, to hold, deport and criminalise migrants, denying them their rights and ability to organise against their increasing exploitation.

The Puglia camp comes after a series of global noborders camps that began in 1998, the first held at the Polish border to the Ukraine and Slovakia. The most recent, also in Poland, was held in Warsaw.

A no borders pirate radio and Italy Indymedia will be providing coverage. Check the site for updates and info.