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UN concerned by Italy's new law to fine migrant rescue ships up to €1m

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
UN concerned by Italy's new law to fine migrant rescue ships up to €1m
A new decree imposes heavy fines on NGOs that rescue people at sea and bring them to Italy. Photo: Carlo Hermann/AFP

The UN voiced concern on Tuesday over a law approved by Italy's parliament that imposes stiffer penalties on NGO migrant rescue boats in the Mediterranean, demanding humanitarian work "not be criminalized or stigmatized".

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The European Union also said it planned to "analyse" the legislation's consistency with European law.

The so-called 'security decree B' adopted by Italian lawmakers on Monday night gives anti-immigration Interior Minister Matteo Salvini more authority to block ships carrying rescued migrants from entering Italian waters.

READ ALSO: Italy to fine migrant boats for approaching without permission

NGO boats involved in search and rescue operations can be confiscated and captains fined up to €1 million according to the text, which still must be signed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

"Imposing financial or other penalties on shipmasters could deter or impede sea rescue activities by private vessels at a time when European states have largely withdrawn from rescue efforts in the Central Mediterranean," the UN refugee agency said in a statement.


'I migrate, you migrate, he migrates...' Protesters against another of Matteo Salvini's security decrees last year. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

"NGOs play an invaluable role in saving the lives of refugees and migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Europe," UNHCR said. Rescue NGOs have continued to take to the seas to save lives despite a refusal by European ports to accept migrants.

UNHCR also said rescue boats must not be redirected back to Libya, a key launching point for migrant vessels headed to Europe, given "the extremely volatile security situation in the country".

"Widespread reports of human rights violations and routine use of arbitrary detention for people disembarked back to Libya underline the fact that it is not a viable place of safety," UNHCR said.  

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