Italy gets tough over refugee rescue ships

Actions could constitute trafficking, warns government

Italy’s interior minister has vowed to take steps to “stop once and for all” charity rescue ships coming to the aid of boats carrying migrants from North Africa and the Middle East and trying to land them on Italian shores.

In the latest incident, a boat called Mare Jonio rescued 50 people, reportedly including 12 minors, from an inflatable boat that was sinking 64 kilometers off the coast of Libya.

Since 2017 Italy, with the support of the European Union, has trained Libyan coast guards in how to deal with such situations. It is reported that a Libyan vessel approached the scene before leaving it to the crew of the Mare Jonioto deal with.

Previously, boats from non-governmental organizations working in the area have angered the Italian government because they have attempted to take people they have picked up to Italy, rather than back to Libya, due to safety concerns about conditions there.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini wants other European countries to do more about the refugee crisis and has in the past left boats stranded at sea in an effort to force Europe into action. After the most recent incident, his ministry said it was "working on a directive to reiterate the procedures that must be followed.

"Saving lives remains a priority, but immediately afterwards the orders of the national authorities of the competent territory must be obeyed, according to the international rules of search and assistance at sea,” the statement continued.

It went on to add that any actions which did not follow the guidelines would be seen as “a premeditated action to bring illegal immigrants to Italy and facilitate human trafficking.”

If the Mare Joniois refused permission to dock in Italy, it would be the first time there had been such a squaring up between an Italian-registered ship and the government.

So far this year Italy has safely taken in 348 migrants, as opposed to 6,161 in the same period of time in 2018. The International Organization for Migration reports that so far in 2019, 234 people have died in the Mediterranean.

"Despite a dangerously low SAR (search and rescue) capacity in the Mediterranean due to Italy & EU policy, people continue to risk their lives to seek safety," tweeted Doctors Without Borders.

On Monday, Salvini, who is the leader of the anti-immigration League party, released an eight-page document covering the laws about rescue operations.

While saying that preserving the lives of those in genuine danger was a “priority,” he also sent out a warning to those who “explicitly violate international, European and national rescue regulations,” adding “nor must the real risks that the group of migrants may conceal individuals involved in terrorist activities... be overlooked”.

Contact the writer at julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com