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Italy migrant row: Move to seize two Med rescue ships Italy migrant row: Move to seize two Med rescue ships
(35 minutes later)
Italy says it will seize two migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean, citing doubts over their legal status.Italy says it will seize two migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean, citing doubts over their legal status.
Italian authorities said the Lifeline and Seefuchs, operated by the German migrant rescue group Mission Lifeline, were "illegally" flying the Dutch flag.Italian authorities said the Lifeline and Seefuchs, operated by the German migrant rescue group Mission Lifeline, were "illegally" flying the Dutch flag.
The Lifeline is carrying 226 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya, Mission Lifeline said.The Lifeline is carrying 226 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya, Mission Lifeline said.
Separately, the UN refugee agency has reported that 220 migrants drowned in the same area. Separately, the UN refugee agency has reported that 220 migrants drowned in the same area in recent days.
It called for "urgent action" from EU countries.It called for "urgent action" from EU countries.
Why is Italy seizing the ships?
Italy's new right-wing government has taken a harder stance on rescue ships bringing large numbers of migrants to Italy, which is often the nearest port for those rescued off coast of Libya.
Italy's Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli said the ship had broken the law by taking the migrants, even though the Libyan coastguard had already intervened to rescue them.
He said Italy would seize both the Lifeline and the Seefuchs to determine their legal status, and said Italy would "once again save the migrants".
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini initially said in a post on Facebook that the two NGO ships should "go to Holland", as it was said to be flying under a Dutch flag, and should not dock in Italy.
Whether or not the ship is Dutch is the subject of some debate. The Dutch delegation to the EU said in a tweet that the ships are not registered in the Netherlands, and not flying under its flag.
Mission Lifeline, however, later posted an image on Twitter of a registration document it says proves the ships sail under the Dutch flag.
The group also tweeted that it had carried out another rescue overnight, though details of how many migrants were accepted- and by which ship - have yet to be released.
The NGO's co-founder, Axel Steier, denied breaking any laws and defended his organisation's actions.
"In this situation you can't wait," he said. "If you have a rescue you prevent people from dying, from drowning and then you have to make the decisions. You can't wait until someone has a port for you - you have to act immediately."
Mr Salvini remained undeterred, writing in a Facebook post on Friday morning that Malta should accept the Lifeline and its passengers - and reiterating that the ship should be seized.
Europe's rescue row
The planned seizure of the Lifeline and Seefuchs comes amid a deepening row over migrant rescues after Italy's new populist government refused earlier this month to take in a stranded rescue ship carrying 630 migrants.The planned seizure of the Lifeline and Seefuchs comes amid a deepening row over migrant rescues after Italy's new populist government refused earlier this month to take in a stranded rescue ship carrying 630 migrants.
The Aquarius eventually sailed to Spain after it was also turned away by Malta. The Aquarius eventually sailed to Spain after it was also turned away by Malta. It has now resumed its operations at sea.
French President Emmanuel Macron accused the Italian government of "cynicism and irresponsibility" for refusing to let the Aquarius dock.French President Emmanuel Macron accused the Italian government of "cynicism and irresponsibility" for refusing to let the Aquarius dock.
Then on Thursday, without referring directly to Italy, Mr Macron attacked the "leprosy" of anti-EU feeling among "friends and neighbours".Then on Thursday, without referring directly to Italy, Mr Macron attacked the "leprosy" of anti-EU feeling among "friends and neighbours".
Italy's new far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hit back at the French president.Italy's new far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hit back at the French president.
"We may be leper populists, but I take the lessons from those who open their own ports. Welcome thousands of migrants and then we can talk," he said."We may be leper populists, but I take the lessons from those who open their own ports. Welcome thousands of migrants and then we can talk," he said.
Leaders from 10 EU member states will meet in Brussels on Sunday to discuss how best to stem the flow of migrants to the bloc.Leaders from 10 EU member states will meet in Brussels on Sunday to discuss how best to stem the flow of migrants to the bloc.
The Italian government has said it will not sign up to any EU plan unless it makes helping Italy a priority, while Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary - known as the Visegrad Group - say they will boycott the talks.The Italian government has said it will not sign up to any EU plan unless it makes helping Italy a priority, while Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary - known as the Visegrad Group - say they will boycott the talks.
Why is Italy seizing the ships? Italy's government wants to deport half a million undocumented migrants, many of whom are housed in squalid reception centres. More than 600,000 have reached Italy from Libya in the past four years.
Mr Salvini initially said in a post on Facebook that the two NGO ships should "go to Holland", as it was said to be flying under a Dutch flag, and should not dock in Italy.
However, the Dutch delegation to the EU later clarified in a tweet that the ships are not registered in the Netherlands, and not flying under its flag.
Italy's Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli later said the ship had broken the law by taking the migrants, even though the Libyan coastguard had already intervened.
He said Italy would seize both the Lifeline and the Seefuchs to determine their legal status, and said Italy would "once again save the migrants".
Mission Lifeline later posted an image on Twitter of a registration document it says proves the ships sail under the Dutch flag.
A hardline stance from Italy
Italy's new coalition government wants to deport half a million undocumented migrants, many of whom are housed in squalid reception centres. More than 600,000 have reached Italy from Libya in the past four years.
Speaking on Italy's Rai national TV, Mr Salvini said it was "unacceptable" to be told "we will help you in one or two years, while you keep those who arrive and we will send you others".
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte says measures to curb the flow of migrants to Italy from North Africa are the priority - not transfers of migrants from one EU country to another.
Among them are refugees from the war in Syria or other conflicts, who generally have a right to asylum.
Why doesn't the EU stop the boats coming?
Italian warships are spearheading Operation Sophia, an EU anti-smuggler mission patrolling a vast area off the Libyan coast.
The EU has stepped up co-operation with the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant boats. But people-smuggling gangs have flourished in Libya's chaos, charging desperate migrants thousands of dollars per head.
The EU Commission has proposed "regional disembarkation platforms" in North Africa, where the UN and other agencies could screen those who have a genuine claim to asylum in Europe. Those not eligible would be offered help to resettle in their home countries.
But processing centres outside the EU must not become a "Guantanamo Bay" for migrants, EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos has warned.
The EU also aims to increase its Frontex border guard force to 10,000 staff by the end of 2020.
The EU's controversial Dublin Regulation states that an asylum seeker's claim should usually be handled by the country where they first arrive.
The regulation - currently under review - enables EU countries to deport asylum seekers to the country where they first landed. Italy and Greece object to that policy, saying they are shouldering an unfair burden.