Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 11th May. According to media reports on Friday a new dispute has emerged between Italy and private German NGOs over the handling of boat refugees in the Mediterranean.
Italy right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the German NGO Sea-Watch said it was continuing its flights to spot refugee boats despite a ban. .
A video posted by Sea-Watch showed a small private plane taking off from the island of Lampedusa towards the central Mediterranean, one of the most important routes for refugees from Africa to Europe.
Italy’s aviation authority, which reports to the transport ministry of right-wing Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, issued several decrees.
Accordingly, no more flights of this kind are allowed to take off from Lampedusa and three other airports in the south. This is also justified on the grounds that it would jeopardize the safety of migrants.
Violations could result in the confiscation of aircraft and heavy fines, Italian authorities stated.
Sea-Watch has said that it intends to defy the ban. “The flight ban is politically motivated and legally untenable,” a spokesman said.
“In the middle of the European election campaign, Italy is trying to get rid of the last witnesses to European crimes in the Mediterranean. We will not be intimidated by this.”
There has been a dispute between the NGOs and Rome for many years. Salvini former Italy’s interior minister has suffered several defeats in court.
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