Italy Suspends Nazi Ocean NGO Ships That Save 261 Dark Migrants In The Mediterranean

NGO ship (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - A ship operated by the French-based non-governmental organization (NGO) SOS MEDierranee, Ocean Viking was temporarily suspended by Italian authorities. This is because it carried out rescue operations that are said to violate Italian law.

According to Italian media, the Ocean Viking recently rescued 261 illegal migrants in various operations off the coast of Libya.

The ship arrived at Brindisi Harbor in southeastern Italy to unload the rescued persons.

But upon arrival, the British Port Authority suspended Ocean Viking for 20 days for involvement in various rescue operations at sea, which violated Italian rules.

As a result of the suspension, the NGO ship was prohibited from leaving the port during that period.

The move was carried out by the coalition government led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took power in October 2022.

Meloni's administration, through various decisions and laws, has taken steps to limit the activities of NGO ships accused of acting like "driving factors" for illegal migrants.

One of these regulations, known by the NGO law, was passed by Meloni's administration in early 2023.

The law mandates that NGO ships, following the initial rescue operation, must immediately depart for designated ports to deploy the rescued persons without carrying out further rescue operations.

The law has sparked criticism from a number of human rights activists who argue that the law unfairly restricts NGO activity involved in rescue operations in the Mediterranean.