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So far, maritime rescuers must expect exorbitant fines in Italy if their ships enter ports without permission. Former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini had made sure of that. Now the country is weakening the security laws introduced under Salvini. and significantly reduces fines for marine rescuers.
The government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte approved a corresponding decree on Monday night. The change will reduce fines to aid organizations from up to € 1 million to € 10,000 to € 50,000. It also makes it more difficult to turn away those seeking protection. At the same time, the center-left coalition tightened measures in the fight against drug trafficking, especially on the Internet.
Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega party, passed strict anti-migration laws as interior minister in 2018 and 2019 and sanctioned severe sanctions against maritime rescuers. He belonged to a center-right coalition with the Lega under Conte as prime minister until late summer 2019. International associations and German aides, such as Sea-Watch, had criticized Salvini’s security laws.
In the future, Italy’s asylum laws will increasingly aim at integration
After Salvini moved out, the Social Democrats (PD) joined the Five Star Movement as a new partner. Conte had already announced his intention in 2019 to relax certain regulations. The new coalition, however, has long disagreed on the measure. Lega chief Salvini criticized the decision on Tuesday: instead of building, destroy the government.
According to the government, asylum laws and the migrant reception system now place a greater emphasis on integration. In the future, the expulsion of foreigners will not only be prohibited if they are threatened with torture, but also if there is a risk of “inhuman” treatment. The new rules have not yet been published in the Official Gazette. This usually takes a few days. Parliament must ratify it within 60 days.
