EuroMed Rights - 02/12/2024

On 13 December, MSF decided to end its rescue operations with its rescue vessel, the Geo Barents, which has been operational since June 2021. Faced with the increasing criminalization of rescues in Italy and a new law imposing heavier penalties on rescue vessels, MSF decided that it was untenable to continue its operations. In fact, the rescue capacity of humanitarian vessels is largely underused. The organization will be considering a new strategy to help people in distress in the Mediterranean.
On 12 December, the Albanian-Italian deal attracted further criticism when an Albanian television report showed that officers sent by the Italian government to guard migrant centers instead toured the Albanian capital Tirana and the city of Shkoder. The day after, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment said that after an official visit in April it had found very poor material conditions, a disproportionate approach to security, uneven quality of health care and a lack of transparency in the Albanian centers.
On 9 December, a delegation of civil society organizations met with the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior to raise concerns about the lack of a public consultation process in Italy on the implementation of the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact. Civil society organizations criticize the lack of transparency and participatory planning, arguing that it undermines European Commission guidelines and risks worsening rights protection during implementation.
On 5 December, UNHCR released data indicating that 8100 people arrived by sea in Italy in November, representing an increase compared to previous months. Of these arrivals, 76% originated from Libya. The top three countries of origin were Bangladesh (20%), Syria (18%), and Tunisia (12%).
On 4 December, the Italian Senate approved a change in the law that will allow civil rescue vessels to be detained and seized much more quickly than before. In addition, whereas previously only the captain was held responsible for any infringement, now the shipowner or operator will also be held liable.