So far this year alone Italy has rescued more than 50, 000 refugees from overcrowded and unsafe boats in the waters between North Africa and Sicily.<br/> <br />Many are fleeing civil war in Syria and forced military service in Eritrea.<br/> <br />European Union law says the country where refugees first arrive should handle their applications for asylum.<br/> <br />The United Nations refugee agency is urging the Eu to change its rules to help ease the load on Italy.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SOUTH EUROPE SPOKESPERSON, CARLOTTA SAMI, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The European Union is based on the principle of solidarity and the principles of solidarity should be concretised in some way and this is where we think there is a lack of action that could be, on the contrary, activated in this particularly difficult moment for thousands, I would say millions of persons."<br/> <br />The U.N says European Union nations should adopt a quota system to share round arriving migrants rescued in inte
