Italy Government Faces Internal Clashes Over NGO Migrant Rules

By Silvia Marchetti

     ROME (MNI) - Italy's government is dealing with internal bickering over the

controversial new code of conduct for NGOs involved in migrant rescue

operations, deemed far too extreme by several cabinet members following rising

complaints by non-profit groups operating in the Mediterranean.

     Interior Minister Marco Minniti, seen as a government hawk on the issue and

the sponsor of the new code of conduct to fight human traffickers and tackle the

immigration emergency, has threatened to resign if a hard stance is not adopted

in pushing back ships that don't abide to stricter rules. These rules require

NGOs avoid sending out signals to sailing migrant boats.

     On Monday, Minniti left a cabinet meeting following complaints from other

ministers.

     Transport and Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio, a cabinet dove,

criticized the new code of conduct as, in his view, it is hampering migrant

rescue operations. Delrio says  international rules bind everyone (authorities

and organizations) to save all migrants, even those rescued at sea and then

transferred from NGO ships on board Italian coast guard boats to the mainland.

     "The closest ship (to the migrant vessel) must always intervene to save

human lives, no matter which ship it is," said Delrio, who controls all Italian

ports. Delrio stressed that Minniti's rules clash with international law.

     Minniti fears that if Rome shows any contradictory position on the thorny

immigration issue, its resilience in stopping illegal immigration will slip and

convincing other European members towards more burden-sharing will become more

difficult.

     European parliament president Antonio Tajani said the code of conduct was

necessary but warned Rome to speak with "one voice" and show unity in the

matter.

     Clashes within Rome's government emerged after a "rebel" NGO which had not

signed the code of conduct was denied access to one of Italy's southern ports

but nonetheless transferred its rescued migrants onto an Italian coast guard

vessel. The migrants were then taken to Lampedusa, raising controversy among

officials over what appeared to be ambiguous procedures.

     In recent days several NGOs have refused to accept the new conduct rules,

after a German ship was stopped last week in Sicily and accused of cooperating

with human smugglers.

     The new code of conduct, defined by Italy and backed by the European

Commission, was issued in July after Rome threatened to shut its ports to

non-Italian NGOs if other EU member states failed to adopt a burden-sharing

approach. Several probes are underway in southern Italy over cooperation between

NGOs and human smugglers.

     Head of State Sergio Mattarella and premier Paolo Gentiloni have both

expressed support for Minniti, acknowledging that lately his tough approach had

contributed in reducing the number of migrants, easing pressure on Italian

shores.

     But a large Catholic part of the governing Democrat Party has voiced

concern over the appropriateness of Minniti's strict rules, which in their view

could jeopardize saving human lives at sea.

     Immigration had turned into a hot electoral issue ahead of next year's

general election. The Democrats are divided over anti-migrant measures even if

their leader, former premier and front-runner Matteo Renzi appears to sponsor

the hard line.

     Democrat Justice Minister Andrea Orlando, critical of Renzi's party

leadership, has warned not to send out the wrong message that all NGOs are

"reflections" of human traffickers.

     Meanwhile, the populist parties, including the Northern League, are calling

for soldiers to be placed on all NGO ships.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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