After much dilly-dallying, the Italian authorities have finally allowed Humanity 1, a rescue ship carrying 179 refugees and migrants to enter a port in Sicily and have begun disembarking children and sick or “vulnerable” people.But in a move that raised much eyebrows, Italy has refused to let 35 adult migrants ashore on one of the vessels.
Italy's Interior Minister has already said that those who do not 'qualify' will have to leave Italy's territorial water.
Humanity 1, run by German charity SOS Humanity, said it was told by Italian authorities to come to the port of Catania to land minors and people needing medical attention.
But it has also challenged the government’s move to distinguish “vulnerable” refugees and migrants, saying all of the people on board were rescued at sea and that alone qualified them for a safe harbour under international law.
This past Friday, Humanity 1 was allowed in Italian waters only long enough to disembark minors and people in need of urgent medical care.
The measure was approved after Germany and France each called on Italy to grant a safe port to the refugees and migrants, and indicated they would receive some of the asylum seekers so Italy would not bear the burden alone.
No such provisions have been offered to the other three ships that have been seeking safe harbor in the Mediterranean.
3 other rescue vessels that are left stranded are Norway-flagged Geo Barents, German-run Rise Above, and the Ocean Viking, run by a European NGO.
These 3 vessels have around 900 migrants that are seeking refuge from Rome.
#Humanity1 #Italymigrant # Italy
