The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) condemned the arrest today by the Italian authorities of Carola Rakete, the captain of the Sea Watch ship rescuing migrants at risk of drowning in the Mediterranean.
“Saving people at sea is a moral and legal duty” said Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the ETUC “and people who do it should be honoured not arrested.”
“EU leaders meeting tomorrow should demand her release and an end to the Italian government’s inhumane and immoral closed port policy. Italy should not be allowed to get away with criminalising those who save lives, and member states should work together to host those fleeing war and persecution as is their duty under international law. An EU wide solution to managing migration in a decent and humane way is long-overdue.”
