Amnesty International has criticized the Italian plans to deploy warships in Libyan waters to combat illegal immigration, saying it is a shameful attempt by the Italian authorities to circumvent their duty to rescue refugees and migrants at sea and to offer protection to those who need it.
“Rather than sending ships to help save lives and offer protection to desperate refugees and migrants, Italy is planning to deploy warships to push them back to Libya,” said Amnesty International’s Europe Director John Dalhuisen.
“This shameful strategy is not designed to end the spiraling death toll in the central Mediterranean but rather to keep refugees and migrants from Italian shores”. He added.
Amnesty said Italy is planning to deploy up to six vessels in the Libyan waters to support the Libyan coastguard in the interception and return of refugees and migrants to Libya, where they would face horrific abuses and human rights violations.
“Italian military personnel are likely to be authorized to use force against smugglers and traffickers, and the plan could also result in refugees and migrants being caught in the crossfire”. It concluded.
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