At the request of the Italian Sea Rescue Coordination Center, the team of the aid organization “Doctors Without Borders” on board the rescue ship “Geo Barents” rescued a total of 85 people in the Mediterranean Sea in two days. These were the first rescue operations after the adoption of a decree from the Italian government establishing rules of conduct for NGO vessels.
The Apulian city of Taranto was assigned to the “Geo Barentsz” as a landing port. Doctors Without Borders said it was waiting for further instructions from the Italian authorities.
If rules are broken, there are hefty fines
The cabinet in Rome decided last week that ships should sail ‘immediately’ to a port after a rescue at sea instead of spending more time at sea looking for other refugee boats. NGOs should also inform rescued migrants on board their ships that they can ask for protection anywhere in the European Union. In case of violation, the captains risk a fine of up to 50,000 euros. In case of repeated violations, the ship can be seized.
Meloni focuses on NGOs
Since taking office in October, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has targeted the activities of aid agencies, accusing them of aiding human traffickers. According to previous data from the Interior Ministry, about 102,000 migrants arrived in Italy in 2022.
Meanwhile, 90 people were rescued by the coastguard in the Ionian Sea off the port of Roccella Jonica in southern Italy’s Calabria. They are people of different nationalities from the Middle East. This is the first landing in 2023, but further arrivals cannot be ruled out given the good weather conditions.
Source: Krone
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