“Italy is not engaging as it should in rescue operations and is making this task more difficult for NGOs,” the Bosnian human rights expert said following a mission to Italy last week.
She was referring to new rules introduced by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the start of this year for private vessels conducting search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean, which effectively limit the capacity of non-governmental organisations to save lives at sea.
However, the commissioner also said the “humanity shown by the citizens and mayor of Lampedusa towards migrants is an example for all”, highlighting how the population of the tiny stepping-stone island between north Africa and Europe continues to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and migrants arriving in search of safety and a better life, despite suffering “disadvantages” and feeling “abandoned”.
Italy’s European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto hit back however, saying “we won’t take lessons from those sitting in their armchairs”.
“The words of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe about Italy arouse incredulity and anger,” he said on Monday.
Fitto said “the words of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe about Italy arouse incredulity and anger”. (Photo: ANSA)
“We do not accept lessons from those who, sitting comfortably on their couches, allow themselves to look at and judge our country, which in recent years, often alone, has taken charge with sacrifice and self-denial of the rescue and reception of thousands of migrants and continues to do so every day in full respect of international law and the dignity of those who arrive in our country”, Fitto said.
Mijatovic early last week also denounced the “alarming level of tolerance” that has developed in Europe towards serious rights’ violations against migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
“Reports of violations of the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are now so frequent that they hardly register in the public consciousness,” she said from Lampedusa on the first leg of her visit to Italy last Monday.
ANSA
