Italy’s foreign minister has denied funding the Libyan coast guard’s operations in the Mediterranean following allegations by charitable groups of human rights abuses of migrants and refugees.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – July 16, 2021 – Diplomatic Affairs
During a session of Italy’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday, Luigi Di Maio said Rome “has not and will not” provide funds for such activities.
The minister’s assurances came on the heels of a call by several NGOs for Italy to withhold funding to the Libyan authorities.
At the parliamentary hearing on Italian military missions abroad, including the country’s presence in Libya, Di Maio added: “Strengthening the capacity of the Libyan authorities to conduct search and rescue operations in their areas of responsibility, while respecting international standards, is one of the lines that the government is following. (Italian) “.
Italy recently donated a number of former patrol ships for use by the Libyan Coast Guard and helped train personnel.
Addressing the deputies, Di Maio said: “It falls within the framework of initiatives to encourage the management of (migrant flows) that respects international standards on irregular flows (by Libya), and to combat human trafficking.”
He pointed out that he and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi attended several meetings in recent months with the Libyan authorities, during which issues were discussed.
More than 100 associations joined a demonstration outside the building where the parliamentary session is being held.
Erasmo Palazzuto, a lawmaker from Italy’s left-wing Leo party that supports the Draghi government, told Arab News: “We deplore the Italian authorities’ responsibility in the ongoing massacre of migrants in the central Mediterranean and in the cycle of violence, exploitation, and human rights abuse that migrants and refugees are systematically subjected to. in Lybia “.
NGOs demanded, “absolute guarantees” of respect for human rights.
Any cooperation with the Libyan authorities must cease unless concrete guarantees are granted on the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees; We say no to support and cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard that aims to forcibly return to Libya.
He called for “a plan that provides for the immediate evacuation of people held in Libyan detention centers and the expansion of normal entry channels for migrants and refugees,” along with “the restoration of the institutional system for search and rescue (operations) in Libya.” Central Mediterranean and recognition of the essential role played by NGOs in protecting lives at sea.”
Democratic Party MP, Laura Boldrini, highlighted an incident reported by the non-profit rescue group Sea-Watch on June 30, in which the Libyan coast guard – using a vessel donated by the Italian government – allegedly fired live bullets at a migrant boat. In an apparent attempt to prevent it from crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
“The Italian parliament cannot be deaf and blind regarding the unscrupulous tactics of the Libyan Coast Guard,” she said. Shooting a boat full of people is a criminal act.”
The parliamentary session passed a resolution to increase Italy’s participation in the European Union Naval Force (IRINI) Mediterranean Operation – which helps train the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy and disrupt human smuggling and trafficking – in order to limit Italy’s direct cooperation with European naval forces. Libyan Coast Guard.
“This will allow to strengthen Italy’s role in Libya, rationalize the command structure, and strengthen the European role,” said the resolution approved by the Italian Chamber of Deputies.
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Source: Ukrgate
