NGOs welcome Italy’s decision to accept migrants

While welcoming the Italian government's decision to take in the 102 migrants stranded on the Greek-owned tanker MT Salamis, nine organisations expressed their concern at the "lengthy process involved in reaching a decision in this case."

"We welcome the solution that was agreed upon by the Maltese and Italian Governments which resulted in bringing 102 migrants on board MT Salamis to safety, avoiding a possible humanitarian crisis," the NGOs said.

However, the statement added: "we remain concerned at the lengthy process involved in reaching a decision in this case. We would like to urge relevant stakeholders such as coastal states, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the International Maritime Organisation to work together to formulate concrete initiatives to prevent similar incidents from occurring and from processing them as swiftly and humanely as possible."

The statement was signed by aditus Foundation, JRS Malta, Migrant's Network for Equality, SOS Malta, KOPIN, Integra Foundation, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, Organisation for Friendship in Diversity and the Emigrants Commission.

The NGOs praised the Captain of MT Salamis for "fulfilling his legal and moral obligation" of saving the lives of persons seeking assistance at sea, in accordance with the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and other legal instruments. "We hope that following this incident, other private vessels are not discouraged from fulfilling their obligations of rescuing vessels in distress," the NGOs said.