Immigration: Italy welcomes the ship “Ocean Viking” but toughens its rules against NGOs

Entry of the "Ocean Viking" into the military port of Toulon, this Friday, November 11, 2022. AFP - CHRISTOPHE SIMON

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One hundred and thirteen migrants rescued by the humanitarian ship

Ocean Viking

are expected to dock this Saturday, December 31 in the port of Ravenna, northern Italy, after a four-day journey from the rescue site.

On the eve of the new year, the government of Giorgia Meloni wants to reshuffle the cards.

It will not ban the arrival of ships as discussed during the September elections, but changes the rules. 

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Forgot the blockade of ports promised during the campaign.

The Italian government

guarantees transit and stopovers on its territory to ships rescuing migrants.

But under conditions already denounced loud and clear by NGOs and lawyers as contrary to international law. 

The assigned safe port will not necessarily be the closest as foreseen by maritime law.

The

Viking Ocean

is the first ship to experience it.

On December 27, the authorities had ordered him to reach Ravenna in northern Italy, extending his journey by several days.

This limits rescue operations.

As the #OceanViking heads for Ravenna, ~900NM from the world's deadliest sea route since 2014, we fear that countless tragedies like Ibrahim's will continue to unfold without a trace.

— SOS MEDITERRANEE France (@SOSMedFrance) December 29, 2022

Ships will have to proceed to the assigned port from the first rescue, without rescuing other boats, unless this does not slow their return to Italy. 

NGO refusal

The government would also plan to initiate simplified asylum application procedures before arrival on Italian territory.

Offenders are liable to fines of up to 50,000 euros and the sequestration of the vessel. 

The German NGO

Sea Eye

has already indicated that it refuses to comply with a regulation contrary to international law.

The NGOs Doctors Without Borders and

Emergency

denounce rules that may ultimately increase the number of deaths in the central Mediterranean. 

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To read also: 

The long journey that awaits the landed of the "Ocean Viking"

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