UNHCR, IOM, Save the Children express concern at Lampedusa 'unsafe port' status

In a statement, the UNHCR and IOM said that this decision “could undermine the entire rescue at sea system for migrants and asylum seekers and at the same time could make rescue operations  more hazardous and complex.”

Since it is no longer  possible to dock in Lampedusa, the ability of the Coast Guard and the "Guardia di Finanza" to carry out rescue at sea will be compromised by the distance they will have to travel to reach the next safe port, like Porto Empedocle, 120 nautical miles away.

“This  would  have severe implications on rescue operations when the weather is bad, or when it involves transporting people in need of urgent medical assistance, minors and other vulnerable individuals,” the two organisations said.

Therefore, the partner organizations of the Praesidium Project hope that  the  Lampedusa centre will be  re-established    as soon as possible to ensure adequate  reception  and swift transit for migrants who should be hosted in the centre only for a minimum period of time to allow for assistance and identification before being transferred to appropriate facilities elsewhere in Italy.

Whilst the three partner organisations understand the pressure the island has been under in recent times and the limited capacity of the reception and rescue centre, it is important that Lampedusa remains a safe harbour in order to save lives.

The organisations are also expressing their concern over the recent de facto detention of migrants on ships and question its legal basis and the conditions under which the migrants are kept.  UNHCR, IOM and Save the Children hope this practice will not continue  and that  relevant  authorities will find appropriate solutions  as soon as possible in line with existing provisions in Italian and  international  law.