Preliminary legal proceedings opened final Might in Sicily towards 21 folks charged with aiding and abetting unlawful immigration in reference to a number of search-and-rescue missions performed between 2016 and 2017. 

These accused embody 4 crew members of the Iuventa, a former fishing trawler credited with saving some 14,000 migrant lives within the Mediterranean Sea, and human rights activists from different civilian vessels. 

‘Solidarity shouldn’t be smuggling’ 

The continuing proceedings are “a darkening stain on Italy and the EU’s dedication to human rights”, mentioned Mary Lawlor, UN Particular Rapporteur on the state of affairs of human rights defenders. 

“They’re being criminalised for his or her human rights work. Saving lives shouldn’t be a criminal offenseand solidarity shouldn’t be smuggling.”  

Ms. Lawlor has engaged with the authorities on the difficulty. 

‘A really disturbing signal’ 

She famous that the proceedings have been suffering from procedural violations, together with failure to offer satisfactory interpretation for non-Italian defendants, and translation of key paperwork. 

Final month, the Italian Prime Minister’s Workplace and the Ministry of Inside utilized to affix the case as plaintiffs, looking for compensation for harm claimed to have been brought on by the alleged crimes. 

“States that respect human rights promote the work of human rights defenders,” mentioned Ms. Lawlor. “The Authorities’s determination to hunt to affix the case goes immediately towards this precept – it’s a very disturbing signal.” 

Lives at additional danger 

The case is unfolding towards a backdrop of recent restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities on civilian search and rescue operations. 

Since December, NGO ships have persistently been instructed to disembark rescued individuals at ports in north and central Italy, or a number of days’ crusing from rescue websites within the Central Mediterranean. 

Moreover, new rules for civilian search and rescue, launched in January, successfully forestall NGO captions from finishing up a number of rescues throughout a mission. 

They have to now request a port of disembarkation and head there immediately or danger going through heavy fines and having their vessels impounded. 

Ms. Lawlor urged the Italian Authorities to repeal the laws, which is incompatible with its obligations underneath worldwide legislation. 

“The brand new laws and directions on ports of disembarkation are obstructing important actions of civilian rescue ships,” she mentioned. “They’re widening the search and rescue hole within the Central Mediterranean, placing lives and rights at additional danger.” 

About UN Rapporteurs 

Particular Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to observe and report on a particular human rights theme or nation state of affairs.  

They aren’t UN workers and don’t obtain a wage for his or her work.