by Crispian Balmer (Reuters) - Italy’s new government allowed a French charity ship to bring ashore 82 migrants on Saturday in an apparent reversal of the uncompromising, closed-door policy of the previous administration. However, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who heads the 5-Star Movement in the governing coalition, said the Ocean Viking was only being given access to the … [Read more...]
Captain Carola Rackete To Sue Italian Minister Over Migrant Comments
by Crispian Balmer (Reuters) Captain Carola Rackete, 31, was freed from house arrest on Tuesday after a judge dismissed accusations she had endangered the lives of Italian servicemen by ignoring military orders and bringing a boatload of migrants to the port of Lampedusa. Salvini has repeatedly denounced Rackete, calling her a “pirate” and an “outlaw”, and promising to expel … [Read more...]
Italy Refuses Safe Harbor To Migrant Ship M/V Aquarius
Antonio Denti (Reuters) - Italy on Monday denied safe harbor to 141 people rescued by the humanitarian ship M/V Aquarius off the coast of Libya last week, setting up another standoff with European Union allies over taking in migrants who try to cross the Mediterranean. The Aquarius, run by Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee and Doctors without Borders (MSF), picked … [Read more...]
Italy Bans Two Dutch Migrant Rescue Vessels
by Philip Pullella (Reuters) A heated exchange erupted after interior minister Matteo Salvini told more foreign NGOs operating migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean they could not dock in Italian ports. Salvini, who is also leader of the right-wing League and deputy prime minister, posted remarks on Facebook and Twitter in an escalating row with NGOs as one ship, … [Read more...]
Migrant Rescue Ship Blocked From Italian Port: Pope Francis Steps In To Patch Relations With France
by Steve Scherer (Reuters) - Italy and France tried to patch up a row over immigration on Thursday as Pope Francis urged politicians everywhere to work together on helping refugees and respect their dignity. Italy summoned France’s envoy on Wednesday and demanded an apology from President Emmanuel Macron, who had said Rome’s move to block a migrant rescue ship from its ports … [Read more...]