(AFP) Twenty charities on Thursday slammed new rules on rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean introduced by Italy’s right-wing government, saying they go against international law and will result in more deaths.
Under the new decree, which came into effect this week, charity vessels must head “without delay” to the Italian port assigned to them after each rescue, which aid groups say will limit the number of people they can help.
Such vessels often perform multiple rescues of people who get into trouble attempting the world’s most dangerous crossing, before heading back to shore.
“The Italian decree law contradicts international maritime, human rights and European law,” the aid organisations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said in a joint statement.
