On Wednesday, the government led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approved a bill aimed at reducing illegal immigration, which includes the authority to establish a naval blockade on migrant ships.
This legislation came shortly after the European Parliament passed a series of bills that align with EU asylum regulations, permitting member states to reject and deport migrants if they are likely to seek asylum in countries considered safe or outside the EU.
An Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported that the bill allows the government to impose a naval blockade on migrant vessels under certain conditions, such as threats of terrorism, significant migration pressure on border security, health crises, or other exceptional international situations.
If a smuggler’s ship breaches the blockade, it may face a fine of up to 50,000 euros unless the act is classified as a criminal offense. Repeated breaches could lead to the confiscation of the vessel.
The government mentioned that the draft bill might allow the lockdown to last as long as six months. It’s now awaiting review and discussion in the Italian Parliament.
In a brief video shared online, Meloni stated that the bill supports the EU’s updated regulations. She noted that it applies not only to severe threats such as terrorism but also in cases of unusual migration surges, enabling the blocking of migrants attempting to cross into Italian waters or the transfer of them onto vessels bound for third countries.
Meloni expressed determination in her message, stating, “To those who think it’s impossible, I want to remind you that nothing is truly impossible for those who are committed. We aim to secure our borders and protect our citizens, using every available means.”
The bill encompasses various security measures, intending to expedite the expulsion of convicted foreigners and broaden the list of deportable offenses to include crimes like violence against authorities, enslavement, and domestic violence. Meloni emphasized the necessity of respecting Italian laws for those wishing to reside in Italy.
She urged Parliament to support the bill to combat smugglers and challenged political opponents who criticize government efforts to enhance security to contribute positively to the cause.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi commented that the proposed legislation would facilitate the implementation of a new Migration and Asylum Agreement endorsed by the EU, enhanced by Italy’s significant input. He also mentioned that it paves the way for restricting access to territorial waters for national security reasons, stressing that Italy’s borders are synonymous with Europe’s borders and asserting the country’s responsibility to protect them.
