“Illegal suspension of refugee rescue vessels from leaving port” NGO sues Italian government October 30, 4:32
With the constant number of migrants and refugees from Africa to Europe, it was unreasonable for the Italian government to suspend the departure of rescue vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea, and rescue NGOs have filed a lawsuit for cancellation.
The proceedings were filed on the 23rd of this month by the German NGO "Sea Watch".
"Seawatch" operates a ship in collaboration with the international medical aid organization "Doctors Without Borders" to rescue migrants and refugees who are heading to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. Last month (September) 19th After an inspection of the ship by the authorities at the port of Palermo in southern Europe, he was ordered to suspend departure.
The Italian government cites a lack of life jackets and inadequate drainage systems as reasons for the injunction.
However, in the Mediterranean Sea, the ships of other NGOs have also been forced to suspend rescue operations due to injunctions, etc., so on the 3rd of this month, four NGOs jointly issued a statement and immigrated the authorities' measures. He criticized it as an excuse to prevent the influx of refugees and sought acceptance within the EU-European Union framework.
Due to the impact of the new coronavirus, the economy is declining in Africa as well, so immigrants and refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea are constantly on the rise. According to the United Nations, 700 due to accidents while traveling. It means that more than one person has died.
Japanese midwife on board "I want to return to rescue activities as soon as possible"
On this ship, Mr. Marina Kojima of Japan, who belongs to "Doctors Without Borders", was also active.
While working as a midwife in Tokyo, Mr. Kojima went to refugee camps in South Sudan and Rohingya in Bangladesh to manage the health of pregnant women and infants and to care for victims of sexual violence.
He has participated in rescue operations in the Mediterranean in 2016 and last year, and three times in total, helping the rescued pregnant woman give birth on board.
This year, after leaving the port of Spain in mid-August, he rescued about 350 people from Sudan and Libya off the coast of Libya.
Mr. Kojima said, "I feel that more people are trying to cross the Mediterranean than last year. To prevent infection, I initially tried not to carry too many people, but in the end it was full." I look back.
Since the ship cannot leave the port now, we are preparing for the winter voyage, such as blankets to be distributed to the rescuers, in preparation for the resumption of activities at the port of Palermo.
Mr. Kojima said, "It will be colder and the mortality rate will increase in the winter sea. I feel painful and helpless at this time when I am not doing anything. I entrusted my hope to the court's decision and returned to rescue activities as soon as possible. I want to. "