Italy and Malta Reportedly Prevent NGO Rescue Vessel from Disembarking Rescued Persons Due to Noncompliance with Italy’s New NGO Code of Conduct

Maltese newspapers are reporting that the Golfo Azzurro, which is currently chartered by the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, “with some 10-20 migrants on board is anchored outside Maltese territorial waters waiting for instructions from Italian authorities on where to disembark the migrants.” Per the Times of Malta, “[u]nconfirmed reports say that … Italy has not given permission for [the Golfo Azzurro] to drop them off in Lampedusa, claiming that a new code of conduct for NGOs involved in such activities had not been observed.” Malta is reportedly refusing to allow the vessel to disembark in Malta, asserting as it has in the past that the rescued migrants were rescued closer to Italy and should therefore be taken to Italian territory.  Click here and here for articles.