Italy U-turn as refugee ship docks :: Namibia Internet Gateway cc ::

Articles: Italy U-turn as refugee ship docks

Posted by admin on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 06:47 AM

Italy has allowed 37 African shipwreck victims to disembark from a German humanitarian aid ship after a three-week standoff in the Mediterranean.
The survivors, all men believed to be mainly refugees from Sudan, came ashore at a Sicilian port Monday after the German vessel pulled alongside the dock. Italy's interior ministry had earlier refused to let the ship enter the harbor, saying the refugees were closer to Malta when they were picked up and should have applied for asylum there. The Africans received medical checks at Porto Empedocle before being taken by bus to receiving centers where the hundreds of illegal immigrants who land on the Mediterranean island of Sicily are sent when they arrive. According to the Web site of the German aid organization Cap Anamur, which owns the ship of the same name, the Africans were rescued from a rubber dinghy with engine failure in the Mediterranean. The group says it is dedicated to helping refugees in distress at sea. Reuters reported that police Monday detained the ship's captain, Stefan Schmidt, who could face charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigration, and the head of Cap Anamur. Italian Transport Undersecretary Mario Tassone hailed the "happy end to the matter" and said an investigation would be launched into the incident. An Italian state prosecutor had wanted Schmidt to be questioned two weeks ago after he picked up the Africans. However, police were not allowed to board the ship then because it was in international waters. The standoff came to a head Sunday following an emergency request from the captain. Italy's interior ministry let the boat anchor in the harbor of Porto Empedocle, about 1.5 kilometers (one mile) from shore. Officials had pledged humanitarian assistance to those on board. Several Italian Coast Guard and police boats moved into position across the entrance to the port, preventing the ship from docking.

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