Italia new Interior Minister Matteo Bentidosi defended his country’s immigrant policy After widespread criticism over a decision to me allow Only the most likely to disembark from charity rescue ships.
On Monday, Piantedosi insisted that Italy treat migrants “with humanity. ”
Approximately 500 immigrants disembarked in Sicilian port of Catania over After she was rescued by two charity ships from leaky and overcrowded boats crossing from North Africa to Europe.
But about 250 of the two ships were prevented from landing under orders of Italia new hard-truly governmentincluding group of 35 men On board the German-flagged ship Humanity 1, I was then ordered to leave.
NGOs said that move To determine who Can get off was illegal and warned of Desperate conditions on board remain in port.
three men on Monday jumped from one of Them, Geo Barents, run By Doctors Without Borders, before they were quickly picked up out of The charity said.
After that, dozens of other immigrants stood up on Surface of The ship chanted, “Help us,” an AFP reporter testified.
“We’re acting with humanity but firmly on Our principles, said Piantedosi, on side lines of a event in Rome.
immigrants said, on Other ships were welcomed in Italian ports, and those left on board It was “subject to continuous monitoring by the relevant authorities”.
authorities in Syracuse confirmed to AFP on Monday that more from 500 people found in plight off And the Italian authorities saved Malta and came down from it in Sicily.
Piantedosi said he was working at a national And the European level of resolve The issue after years of Complaints from Rome that the European Union has not done enough.
Italia new government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Far-Right Brothers of Italia partyvowed to stop dozens of in thousands of immigrants who arrive on All the beaches of the country year.
One of her deputy prime Ministers, League leader Matteo Salvini, is currently on Experience for Blocking immigrant boats when inside minister in 2019.
On Monday, he said arrivals must be stopped, tweeting: “These are organized trips, getting more and more dangerous, and funding weapons and drugs. They must be cut off.” off. “
‘healthy men”
After days at sea, Geo Barents was granted permission to disembark on 357 peopleincluding children, while the authorities refused entry to 215 others.
Nearby, humanity descended 1 144 peoplebut 35 adult immigrants on board were turned away.
a government Friday’s decree said Humanity 1 was only allowed to enter an Italian port for time on it took to me help those in “Emergency conditions.”
The charity SOS Humanity, which operates the ship, said authorities decided after a “brief” medical examination that the 35 men It was “healthy” and so on need Don’t go down.
But she said that no translator attended, no psychological evaluation, and legal proceedings began against The government for Selection who can go down.
“If a port is secure, it is safe for “Everyone,” SOS humanitarian lawyer Ricardo Campucciaro told AFP.
international obligations
UN Agencies UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for All immigration urged of immigrants “without delay”.
And they welcomed in a joint statement Monday in Italy moves to let off many of But the migrants said: “A solution is urgently needed for All remaining survivors.
they pointed out also To two other rescue ships, the Ocean Viking and the Rise Above, that have been waiting off Sicily with About 230 and 90 immigrants, respectively.
Media reports late Monday said that Rise Above has been assigned a port in Southern Italy.
a group of Civil society organizations, including ActionAid International, Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Refugee Council, echoed this call for Rapid descent.
Amnesty International accused Italy of violating international Obligations, “saying” the law of the sea clear; The rescue process ends when all rescued people are disembarked in a place of safety. “
psychological stress
One of those left Médecins Sans Frontières said Gio Barents on the plane was later evacuated by an ambulance after suffering “acute abdominal pain”. on Monday, thus becoming total remaining until 214.
Antonio Nesita, Senator with Center-left The Democratic Party said he visited the ship and found “Much of suffering”.
“many people undress in In front of me of us to me show “They both got scabies,” he told AFP.
Their status and level of The psychological pressure is very, very high.” added Ricardo Gatti, President of MSF search and rescue.
A ship has its limits in terms of Medical assistance: ship like ambulance and people still in “The ambulance,” he said.
