Statement: New Italian government decree will cause more deaths in the Mediterranean Sea

NEW DECREE OBSTRUCTS LIFESAVING RESCUE EFFORTS AT SEA AND WILL CAUSE MORE DEATHS We, civil organisations engaged in search and rescue (SAR) activities in the central Mediterranean Sea, express our gravest concerns regarding the latest attempt by a European government to obstruct assistance to people in distress at sea. A new law decree, signed by the…

‘Call to let people drown’ – Italy’s new Government Decree attacks people on the move and rescue organizations

The civil rescue organization Sea-Watch sharply criticizes the decree passed by the ultra-right Italian government on Dec. 28, 2022. This decree provides that rescue organizations face severe penalties if they do not immediately leave the search and rescue zone after an initial rescue. Shortly before, the government had already introduced a new practice dealing with…