The far right in Italy government He approved measures to fine charities who Rescue of migrants at sea and the detention of their ships in case of breaking newf tougher set of rules – a move that one campaign group He said it could threaten lives.
Cabinet decision was approved late on Wednesday, seen by Reuters, these ships said should Request a port and sail to it “without delay” after salvage, not remain in the sea for Other immigrant boats in distress.
Currently , missions of charities, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in Typically central Mediterranean last several days, with Charity boats completing Rescue operations are different and often take hundreds of people on board.
A must for NGO ships also Inform those on the plane that they can bring it up for international protection Anywhere in European Union, said the decree.
Captains breach this rules risk Fines of up to 50,000 euros ($53,175), and repeat violations can occur result in reservation of the ship added.
Since taking office in October, Prime Minister Georgia Meloni government targeted activities of Marine salvage societies, accusing them of facilitation work of people Human traffickers are on the rise in Access.
Charities reject these allegations.
Riccardo Gatti who He is in charge. Shipping. Held accountable of rescue ship run By the charity Doctors Without Borders, speaking to La Repubblica daily on Thursday that the decree was part of a strategy This “increases risk of death for thousands of people. “
the rules make it more Hard to carry out Multiple rescues may be violated international He said the agreements were “morally unacceptable”.
Some 102,000 immigrants disembarked in Italy so far in 2022, Ministry of Interior data showscomparison with about 66,500 in same period last year34,000 in 2021 and peak of more from 181,000 in 2016.
document from office of Interior Minister Matteo Bentedosi said it was only about 10% of these who Arrive in Italia in 2022 was brought ashore by NGO boats.
However, it is also He said these boats were an “attraction”. for Those who make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean from Libya. NGOs say the data shows Their presence at sea discourages migrants from leaving.
the question of how to deal with immigration in The largely borderless European Union was a source of this of tensions for Years. Italy and Spain where most of the boats arrive have long said EU allies should take on more arrival of immigrants on their shores.
the issue triggered Diplomatic row in November between Italy and France, after Rome refused to allow a charity boat carrying about 200 people Sidewalk in their ports, and the ship eventually sailed to France.
