Italy’s Refugee Boat Crisis Creates Tension with European Politicians and NGOs

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, is well-known for his rigorous anti-immigration views. With several islands and a long coastline fencing Europe in the South, Italy is an often-sought destination for boats and ships carrying refugees from Africa. Hence, it comes as no surprise that refugee boats arriving in Italy elicit a series of disputes between Salvini and European politicians pursuing a pro-migration stance. Italian authorities continue to deny these boats landing permissions and tighten national migration and security laws despite protests from Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Germany, the Netherlands, and the European Commission.

The contested landing of the NGO ship Sea-Watch 3 in June 2019 at the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies relatively close to Tunisia’s coast, caused a furor in European media. The ship, which transported approximately 40 refugees, was prohibited access as it approached Lampedusa’s shores. German captain Carola Rackete, however, ignored orders from Italian authorities after sailing through the Mediterranean Sea and waiting for official approval for weeks. Similarly, the ship Alan Kurdi of the German NGO Sea Eyes carrying roughly 60 migrants had also struggled to attain landing permission in Lampedusa at around the same time. Such disputes about the access permission of refugee ships are likely to remain an issue in the near future.

In response to the refugee influx, Italy has implemented stricter security laws, including a fine of 50,000 Euro (56,000 USD) for NGOs landing with refugees at Italian ports, the confiscation of ships and boats, and potential imprisonment. Such regulations particularly concern NGO-affiliated captains like Carola Rackete, who may have to anticipate legal repercussions. Salvini announced that he plans to raise the fine for NGOs to 1 million Euro (1.12 million USD) and add a fine of 5,500 Euro (6,200 USD) for every disembarking migrant. Additionally, Italy had made an agreement with Libya in 2017 to halt the inflow of migrants over sea routes. According to the agreement, Libya commits to tightening border and coast guard controls in order to retain fugitives in Libya, while Italy pledges to pay Libya 4.5 billion Euro (5 billion USD) to support infrastructure projects.

The transfer across the Mediterranean Sea exposes refugees to numerous threats. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated in its Desperate Journeys report that 2,275 migrants lost their lives or went missing as they traveled to seek asylum in Europe in 2018. This amounts to a loss of 6 human lives each day, the UNHCR clarifies. Escaping repression, political instability, armed conflict, poverty, and a lack of economic opportunities are among the main reasons why migrants embark ships headed for Europe. Most of the refugees from Africa are citizens of Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan. Other countries include Nigeria, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and Ghana. Considering the difficulties that migrants face when entering Italy’s south, many began looking for new entryways into Europe in 2019, opting for the Balkan route that leads to Trieste, a seaport in northeastern Italy.

NGO ships from Germany and the Netherlands that transport asylum seekers have created tensions among European politicians. Italian minister Salvini criticizes Europe for ignoring the problem, threatening to disregard regulations of the Schengen Agreement, a treaty that lifts border controls in 26 European states, and the Dublin Regulation (Regulation No. 604/2013). The Schengen Agreement requires that states systematically register migrants in the governmental database Schengen Information System, while the Dublin Regulation stipulates that non-European Union (EU) citizens must be identified in the EU country in which they enter first. The same country is also then responsible for the care of incoming migrants, which is a regulation the Italian government in Rome does not agree with. An adaption of these laws, however, is very improbable.

The refugee boat crisis strains European diplomatic ties as Italy attempts to force the Netherlands to accommodate migrants transported on ships flying the Dutch flag. As Italy implements the new security laws, fining and detaining NGO members, Italy may also come into conflict with NGO host countries such as Germany. Horst Seehofer, Germany’s Minister of the Interior, Building, and Community, noted his disapproval of Italy’s management of the crisis when he appealed to Salvini that Italy should open its ports to migrants. The European Commission also called upon Italy to allow migrants to go ashore after weeks of waiting for permission. In contrast, Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria between 2017 and 2019, stated that NGOs should not aid migrants in illegally entering Europe. Kurz’s position may originate from the concern that Austria is Italy’s immediate geographical neighbor.

According to the UNHCR, the number of migrants arriving in Europe has dropped to 139,300 people in 2018, reaching the lowest number in five years. Nonetheless, Italy is likely to continue its immigration policy and challenge NGOs and European politicians. Such border and immigration issues could gradually alienate Italy from central Europe and the EU.

About the Author

Yasemin Zeisl

Yasemin Zeisl earned her MSc in International Relations and Affairs from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Yasemin is fluent in German and English and possesses advanced Japanese language skills.

Contact Expert