Refugees: "Sea-Eye" demands protection from the federal government

The self-proclaimed refugeerescuers of the "Sea-Eye" association have called on the German government to protect them from the Italian authorities during their activities in the Mediterranean. The government in Rome had previously passed a decree to control sea rescue off Italy's coasts.

“We reject this so-called code of conduct and fear that this will lead to conflicts with the Italian authorities. We therefore expect the Federal Government to protect the sea rescue organizations flying the German flag from the illegal behavior of the Italian authorities and to give us decisive support in the event of a conflict," stressed "Sea-Eye" board member Annika Fischer in a press release on Friday. Italy has no right to regulate the behavior of ships flying the German flag in international waters.

"Sea-Watch" also announces resistance
On Wednesday, the Italian government issued a decree that obliges self-proclaimed sea rescuers to head for a port immediately after salvaging shipwrecked people. "The provisions aim to ensure the safety of persons recovered at sea in accordance with national and international law," the paper said.

The self-proclaimed sea rescuers of the "Sea-Watch" association also rejected the decree of the cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d'Italia). “The new Italian government decree is an invitation to drown. Forcing ships into port violates the duty to rescue other people in distress," said Sea Watch spokesman Oliver Kulikowski. He also announced that the decree would be opposed.

After taking office, the Italian government began tightening controls on refugee organizations operating in the Mediterranean. Since then, there have been repeated disputes with the federal government and the EU.

Source: Junge Freiheit