The ministers of the interior of Italy, France and Germany have agreed on the need to introduce a code of conduct for NGOs operating in the Mediterranean and improve conditions in migrant detention centres in Libya. However, NGOs insist that they will continue rescuing migrants.
The Italian interior ministry is working on a series of rules for humanitarian ships operating in the Mediterranean. The options on the table include the obligation to carry representatives of the judiciary police and a ban on approaching the Libyan coast.
"We will continue to save lives at sea," says Italy President of MSF, Loris De Filippi. "Europe could handle rescue operations directly through Frontex and Eunavformed without leaving 30-35% of the work to be done by NGOs. We will resist requests to take judiciary police officers on board."
Christopher and Regina Catrambone of MOAS, which operates the Phoenix, takes a similar stance. "We have always operated under the coordination of the coast guard authorities and in compliance with international law of the sea, which contemplates the obligation to assist all boats in difficulty, independently of whether they are in international or territorial waters."
No intervention in Libya without security
There is only one obstacle with regards to detention centres in Libya."We are willing to help improve conditions in the centres, but now there are not the security conditions needed to operate," says IOM. "In Libya we are working with local staff, we cannot enter (the country) with international staff. We provide medical assistance, essential goods, we identify the most vulnerable cases," says UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Sami. "Our action is limited, but it is not possible to do more without first stabilizing the country."
UNHCR does not forecast a drop in migration flows and in Italy the interior ministry says at the present rate the situation is unsustainable. Even if the number of spaces available is increased from 200,000 to 220,000 the system will not hold up until the end of the summer. "It is unacceptable that local prefects should force the rate of migrants to inhabitants (3 for every 1,000) simply because it is easier to add bed spaces to existing structures than it is to put out calls to tender for new migrant reception centres in municipalities that do not currently host anyone," ANCI President Antonio Decaro said. "Obviously all episodes of intolerance are to be strongly condemned, but everyone needs to act responsibly," he added.