The squeeze is coming on the NGOs that carry out rescues in the Mediterranean .
The government is working on a new code for non-governmental organizations dealing with migrants .
According to what we learn, the draft provides that "transit and parking in the national territory are in any case guaranteed for the sole purpose of ensuring the rescue and ground assistance of the people taken on board to protect their safety ".
All operations must be "immediately communicated to the competent coordination center for maritime rescue in whose area of responsibility the event takes place and to the flag State and carried out in compliance with the indications of the aforementioned authorities".
Humanitarian organizations can carry out a single rescue, promptly requesting the assignment of a safe port, without "aggravating dangerous situations".
To make this provision effective , transhipments from one vessel to another would also be prohibited . The migrants on board will then have to be asked if they intend to apply for international protection, so that the ship's flag country will take charge of it .
In the event that the rules are violated, sanctions and administrative seizures are envisaged : the master can receive a fine of up to 50 thousand euros , but the shipowner or owner is also jointly liable.
Furthermore, again in the event of violations, there is also administrative detention of the vessel for two months . In the event of recurrence of the violation "committed with the use of the same vessel, the ancillary administrative sanction of confiscation of the vessel is applied and the ascertaining body immediately proceeds with precautionary seizure".
(Unioneonline/D)
