Merkel demands Sea Watch captain’s release, Asylum seeker calls for EU-wide migrant distribution

Chris Tomlinson — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:31:31 +0000

Giovanni Isolino/AFP/Getty Images

A Senegalese migrant brought to Italy by migrant transport NGO Sea Watch has said that Matteo Salvini is “right” to insist that other EU nations accept boat migrants.

Khadim Diop, 24, made his comments on the day of the arrest of Sea Watch-3 captain Carola Rackete. Speaking to Euronews, Diop called Ms. Rackete a “good girl” but said that Salvini “is partly right”.

“He wants Europe to do its part on migrants. Germany must take a share, as must France and other countries. You can’t leave everything to Italy. There is a crisis everywhere. It is not easy for anyone,” he added.

In a weeks-long stand-off, Salvini had refused docking for the migrant transport NGO onto Italian soil until other EU nations had volunteered to take 40 of the migrants, while Brussels had urged the right-populist government to let all migrants land in Italy without condition.

Ms. Rackete, a German national, was arrested on Saturday after forcing her way into Italian waters and ramming a patrol boat in an effort to dock the Sea Watch-3. She faces up to 27 years in prison if found guilty of the charges brought against her which include aiding illegal migration.

Migrant Ferry Captain in Court for Abetting Illegal Migration, Ramming Police Boat

Migrant ferry captain in court for abetting illegal migration, ramming police boat – Breitbart image

The German government has also weighed in on the arrest of the open borders activist with foreign minister Heiko Maas and Chancellor Angela Merkel demanding the release of Rackete, according to Il Giornale.

In a closed-door meeting, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte rebuffed Ms. Merkel, telling her: “In Italy, the executive power is distinct from the judiciary.”

“The prime minister, despite being the highest governmental authority, cannot intervene to recommend the behavior that judges must take. It is in the hands of the judiciary,” Conte added.

Conte’s strong comments are a stark contrast to the more diplomatic tone the Italian prime minister has made to Ms. Merkel in the past.

Leaked audio from earlier this year showed Conte more willing to take migrants, telling Merkel: “We’ll take them, of course, of course, but Angela, do not worry, I’m very determined.”

Interior minister Matteo Salvini, meanwhile, has called the actions of Ms Rackete an “act of war” and welcomed her arrest after previously accusing the NGO of people trafficking.

Source: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/02/angela-merkel-demands-sea-watch-captain-release-migrant-redistribution/

[Disclaimer]

The post Merkel demands Sea Watch captain’s release, Asylum seeker calls for EU-wide migrant distribution first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

[WATCH] Sea-Watch doctor says situation is ‘dire’ for stranded migrants

Kurt Sansone — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 04:56:04 +0000

The two NGO rescue ships are stranded just off Malta’s coast after no European country has allowed them to disembark 49 people rescued after leaving Libya

Sea-Watch@seawatchcrew

Tag 16 ohne sicheren Hafen: Die Situation an Bord der #SeaWatch3 bleibt weiterhin kritisch und lässt keine Entspannung zu. Unser Arzt Frank gibt ein kurzes Update.

Migrants rescued by the NGO vessel Sea-Watch 3 are in “a dire situation”, the onboard doctor has reported as Malta and Italy continue to refuse the ship entry into their ports.

The 32 migrants onboard, which include children, have been stranded on the ship for 14 days after no European country has granted permission for the disembarkation.

A second NGO rescue ship – the Professor Albrecht Penck – run by Sea Eye, is carrying another 17 migrants and has also been refused entry into Maltese and Italian ports.

Both ships were allowed to enter Maltese territorial waters last Wednesday to shelter from bad weather.

In a video message from the Sea-Watch, doctor Frank Dorner appealed for a resolution “as soon as possible” to the political standoff that is preventing the NGOs from disembarking migrants in safe European ports.

In a press conference on Sunday evening, the NGO reported that some migrants onboard the ships were suffering from dehydration and some had even stopped eating.

The NGO also defended the method of rescue after doubts were cast by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Sunday morning. The NGO said the migrants had left from the Libyan port city of Zuwara onboard a dinghy. They were noticed by a spotter plane and taken on board the ship after they showed signs of distress.

On Sunday, Muscat insisted that Malta did not want to create a precedent by allowing the two ships to disembark in Malta. The rescue happened outside Malta’s area of competence and the closest, safest prot of call would have been Tunisia or Lampedusa.

Italy has steadfastly refused to open its ports.

While talks at an EU level are ongoing to find a solution, Pope Francis on Sunday also appealed for European solidarity with the 49 migrants stranded on the two ships.

Source: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/92026/watch_seawatch_doctor_says_situation_is_dire_for_stranded_migrants#.XDLcCJNKiUk

[Disclaimer]

The post [WATCH] Sea-Watch doctor says situation is ‘dire’ for stranded migrants first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Sea-Watch 3 - Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Merkel demands Sea Watch captain’s release, Asylum seeker calls for EU-wide migrant distribution

[WATCH] Sea-Watch doctor says situation is ‘dire’ for stranded migrants