ITALY’s foreign minister has agreed with contentious accusations that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may be “colluding” with people smugglers to sneak migrants into Europe, like reported by express.co.uk
The unprecedented migrant crisis in the Mediterranean has sparked the invention of several NGOs, who have launched their own rescue ships. Yet critics in Italy have denounced their invention as a racket that must be stopped.
Sicilian prosecutor Carmelo Zuccaro claimed to have “evidence that there are direct contacts between certain NGOs and people traffickers in Libya”.
Mr Zuccaro’s remarks come just days after Italy’s parliament approved a measure to speed up asylum proceedings for migrants processed in Italy.
Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando, refuted the debate and said: “It is not appropriate to make up a story saying (aid organisations) working in the Mediterranean are colluding with people smugglers because that is a lie.
“I hope the Catania prosecutor’s office will let its investigations speak for it because I think it’s the best way to clarify things quickly.”
But not long afterwards, the Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano contradicted Orlando, and said that he “agreed 100 per cent” with the allegations Zuccaro made.
Mr Alfano continued: “I am 100 percent in agreement with prosecutor Zuccaro, as he asked a real question.
“Those who become indignant at the drop of a hat are hypocrites.”
Médecins Sans Frontières, whose staff work on two rescue ships, dismissed the claims as “baseless”.
The United Nations Refugee Agency reported more than 37,000 people have been rescued making the crossing between Africa and Italy this year alone, which constitutes a 40 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2016.
The UN also reported that at least 1,000 have died trying to make the trip.
Smugglers have been accused of launching boats packed with migrants from Libyan beaches with little fuel and cheap outboard engines, knowing full well that they are likely to be rescued once they reach international waters.
Matteo Salvini, the leader of the right-wing Northern League political party, claims he intends to sue the Italian government.
He said: “When 8,500 illegal immigrants arrive in three days, it’s clear that it is all organised.
“It is quite clear that clandestine immigration is being organised. So we’ve decided to sue the government and the commanders of the navy and coast guard.”
