THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says it is increasingly concerned about the Italian government's new
policy to close its ports to migrants rescued by ships at sea.
In the interest of protecting safety of
life at sea, ICS is urging all European Union leaders to urgently
address the concerns so that the policy of prompt and predictable
disembarkation - consistent with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
principles - can be fully maintained.
Having previously refused access to vessels operated by humanitarian
non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it is now understood that
commercial ships, which have been requested by the Italian Rescue
Co-ordination Centre to pick up people in distress, have also been
refused permission by the Italian government to disembark these rescued
people in Italy.
"If correct, this refusal by Italy to allow prompt and predicable
disembarkation from merchant ships, which are complying with their
obligations under maritime law, could have serious humanitarian
consequences for the safety and welfare of hundreds if not thousands of
distressed people" said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe.
"If the policy is extended this would also have significant implications
for the movement of trade throughout the Mediterranean. But the
industry's immediate concern is humanitarian and for the welfare and
dignity of those people that have been rescued and their need to receive
proper medical assistance ashore," he added.
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