Italian authorities have released the charity vessel ‘Sea-Watch 3’ Saturday, the German NGO Sea-Watch announced. The ship was impounded nearly three weeks ago, after rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
In mid-May, Italy’s far-right interior minister, Matteo Salvini, prohibited the ship from docking in Italy after rescuing 65 migrants off the coast of Libya.
However, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) overturned his decision, noting that such actions are a gross violation of international law.
Salvini claimed the captain of the ship, Arturo Centore, had entered Italian waters illegally, and Sea-Watch countered that he only did so after several of those rescued threatened to kill themselves if they were not allowed to disembark in Italy.
In May, Mr. Salvini announced a proposal to issue a decree that would fine vessels for every person rescued at sea and taken to Italian territory. NGO and other boats that rescued migrants could also have their licences revoked or suspended.
With this respect, several UN human rights experts condemned the proposed draft decree by Matteo Salvini, to fine those who rescue migrants and refugees at sea, and urged the Government to halt its approval.
The right to life and the principle of non-refoulement should always prevail over national legislation or other measures purportedly adopted in the name of national security.
…said the UN experts at the time.
