- 108 people have been rescued over the weekend in the Mediterranean. The Italian Government has not allowed them to disembark in a nearby port and the Aita Mari has been redirected to Salerno. It is likely to be the last mission before the European Union tightens its immigration policy rules. The non-governmental organization SMH Salvamento Humanitarian Marítimo, which manages the Aita Mari ship, denounces that the objective is to punish and criminalize the rescue teams.
108 persons: Eighty-four men, thirteen women and thirteen children were rescued by the Father Mari in the early morning of April 5. They were drifting on two ships. Migrants of the following origins are those who were trying to reach the European coast: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Togo, Guinea Conakry, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger and Ghana.
Members of the non-governmental organization denounce the position of the Italian Government. In fact, he has been allowed to disembark at the port of Salerno and the members of the Aita Mari requested to disembark at a nearby port, taking into account the serious health situation of some of the rescued people. In the video, recorded from the ship itself, a crew member regretted having to spend the night at the shipyard. A storm of wind and waves left the migrants wet and cold. It has been reported that the government has not even responded to the landing requirements at a nearby port. The Italian Government has been called upon to comply with human principles in accordance with international law.
The new European Pact on Migration and Asylum will soon enter into force and it is likely that this rescue of Fr. Mari will be the last mission before the new regulation. The SMH Maritime Humanitarian Rescue denounces that the regulatory change will result in the sanction and criminalization of rescue teams and their work.