Italy's anti-immigration Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hailed on Friday the news that the Aquarius migrant rescue boat would no longer operate in the Mediterranean.
In a tweet, Salvini said this would lead to "fewer departures, fewer landings, fewer deaths. That's good."
Salvini, who leads the far-right League party, has banished charity-run migrant rescue ships from Italian ports, seriously limiting their ability to bring migrants ashore.
He justified the move by claiming that rescue ships worked with human smugglers to bring migrants into Europe, a charge that charities have always rejected.
The Aquarius was run jointly by the non-governmental organizations Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee. They announced an end to its operations late Thursday.
The decision was taken in the wake of flag registration and legal problems for the Aquarius, which according to the NGOs reflect growing hostility from European governments to migrant rescue work.
GMT 13:17 2018 Thursday ,25 October
Italy to help Russia, EU restart dialogue "premier"GMT 12:28 2017 Saturday ,23 September
Italy's populist 5-Stars to choose PM candidateGMT 18:53 2017 Saturday ,29 April
Bahraini Foreign Minister meets Italian Navy Fleet CommanderGMT 04:34 2017 Sunday ,16 April
Prince Charles visits earthquake-hit Italian townGMT 04:22 2017 Friday ,07 April
Pope visits Italian region rebuilt after 2012 quakeMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor