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The humanitarian ship of the German NGO Louise Michel, which rescues migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean, has been immobilized since Saturday on the island of Lampedusa by the Italian authorities, the organization announced on Sunday (26).
“We know that there are dozens of boats in danger around the island right now, but we are prevented from rescuing them. This is unacceptable!”, denounced the NGO on its Twitter account.
In a note, the Italian coastguard confirmed the immobilization of the former French Navy ship, decorated by the artist Banksy, one of its sponsors.
After carrying out a first rescue operation in Libyan waters, the Louise Michel was directed to proceed to the port of Trapani, in Sicily, but “did not comply with the injunction, heading towards three other migrant boats”, they said.
Since taking office in October 2022, the Italian executive, with a far-right majority, has multiplied the obstacles to the operation of humanitarian ships in the Mediterranean and has entered into an impasse with its European partners to obtain from them more solidarity in the reception of migrants.
deadly broken
A decree that took effect earlier this year requires humanitarian ships to carry out only one rescue at a time, which critics say increases the risk of deaths in the Mediterranean, considered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to be the most dangerous migration. dangerous route in the world.
The UN agency estimates that, in 2022, 1,417 migrants disappeared in the region.
In the case of the Louise Michel, a vessel of modest dimensions (30 metres), the ban imposed on carrying out several interventions at the same time was aimed at preventing “it from receiving on board a number of people that could jeopardize its safety and that of the migrants they rescue,” argued the Italian coastguard.
In recent days, thousands of migrants have disembarked on the island of Lampedusa, off Tunisia’s east coast, aboard their own boats or boats belonging to the Italian coastguard. The Louise Michel, meanwhile, rescued 180 people at sea before dropping them off on the island.
Although NGOs transport only a small percentage of migrants, the Italian government accuses them of encouraging their arrivals and encouraging smugglers.