9 international NGOs (INGOS) have jointly condemned Italy’s newly approved migration bill, warning that measures contained in the legislation will increase deaths in the Mediterranean and push humanitarian rescue organizations out of the sea.

Groups signed an open letter addressed to the Italian government on 16th February, following cabinet approval of the bill on 11th February under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Signatories include some of the most active maritime rescue organizations operating in the Central Mediterranean: Alarm Phone, Emergency, Médecins Sans Frontières, Mediterranea Saving Humans, Open Arms, ResQ People Saving People, Sea-Watch, SOS Humanity and SOS Méditerranée.

NGOs argued the bill represents "the latest step" in a broader government strategy targeting humanitarian vessels. Organizations referenced previous measures including the Piantedosi law and the Flows Decree as part of what they described as a deliberate effort to ‘push NGOs out of sea rescue operations’.

Most contentious provision allows authorities to impose a 30-day naval blockade on incoming migrant ships when there is a ‘serious threat to public order or national security’. Vessels violating blockade rules face fines of up to EUR 50 thousand (nearly TK 72 lakh) and confiscation for repeated violations.

NGOs stated the blockade will result in ‘fewer safeguards, more suffering for shipwreck survivors and fewer vessels ready to intervene’. Organizations further described a proposed six-month ban on entering Italian territorial waters as a direct violation of international rescue law and maritime conventions.

“A measure that violates international law and rescue conventions, calling into question the non-derogable obligation to save human lives”, their letter stated.

Bill also expands the list of so-called safe countries of origin, now adding Egypt and Tunisia, and speeds up border procedures and repatriations. NGOs warned this creates "a compression of the right to asylum and the risk of exposing many people to persecution and inhuman treatment."

Save the Children separately raised alarm over provisions affecting unaccompanied minors. Organization called the bill ‘a serious step backwards’ and urged parliament to oppose ‘an approach that prioritizes deterrence over the protection of vulnerable people’.

Despite Italy’s sea arrivals falling from 4 thousand 4 hundred to 2 thousand compared to the same period last year, nearly 490 people have already been reported missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to UN's International Organization for Migration.

All nine NGOs pledged to continue operations. “We will continue to operate in compliance with international law to provide assistance and save human lives, without turning a blind eye”, their letter concluded.

Bill must still pass both chambers of Italian parliament before taking effect.

Source: Al Jazeera, InfoMigrants