The Council of Europe has requested by letter to the Italian Government to withdraw the decree limiting the work of NGOs, as they may harm the work of rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean and, consequently, violate the «obligations» subscribed by the country in the international arena in the field of Human Rights.
The Council’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunjia Mijatovic, has warned in a letter to the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, that the regulations introduced after the new government came to power have already limited rescues and have «forced» the NGO not to undertake new operations because of the haste required to reach port.
He also expressed his «concern» about the fact that these ports are in central or northern Italy, far from where the boats are located, which «prolongs the suffering» of the migrants and causes «undue delays» in the assistance that these people deserve and need.
Mijatovic has suggested that if the objective is to promote the distribution of migrants in different parts of Italy, this redistribution should be done through a «rapid disembarkation» and then already on land.
On the other hand, the Commissioner of the Council of Europe has expressed her doubts about the «vagueness» about the technical requirements that Italy demands in its decree for NGO ships, since «they could lead to long and repeated safety inspections» and prevent these same ships, which provide «valuable assistance» in the Mediterranean, from setting sail again.
Mijatovic has proposed to «withdraw» or at least include «all necessary changes» in the decree, now pending parliamentary discussion, to «ensure that it fully complies with Italy’s obligations in terms of Human Rights and International Law».
ITALY JUSTIFIES ITSSELF The Italian government has responded through its ambassador to the Council of Europe, Michele Giacomelli, who has defended that the attention to migrants and refugees continues to be an «absolute priority» for the Executive headed by the far-right Giorgia Meloni, who is also responsible for legislating on migration issues.
For Rome, it is necessary to put a stop to rescue activities that are carried out «systematically» – the recurring allegation of the Italian authorities is that they favor the work of the mafias – and that encourage the transfer of migrants «exclusively» to Italy.
In relation to the landing permits in ports located at great distances, Giacomelli has affirmed that these crossings are only contemplated for ships that can undertake with guarantees this type of voyages, and always taking into account that there are no «risky situations».
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
