Italy cracks down on migrants as Meloni calls for a naval blockade off North Africa

Italy approved measures to counter migration, including the call for a naval blockade off North Africa, following a wave of arrivals in Lampedusa.

Driving the news: The Italian government approved measures focused on migrants not qualifying for asylum and scheduled to be repatriated.
* The detainment period for such migrants will now be extended to the EU maximum of 18 months and there will be an increase in the number of detention centers.
* This measure follows an influx of nearly 7,000 migrants in a day to Lampedusa, an island closer to Tunisia than the Italian mainland.

Proposed solutions: Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni called for a naval blockade of North Africa to inhibit human traffickers.
* This strategy was accompanied by a 10-point plan presented by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen which included pledges to prevent departures of smuggling boats by establishing “operational partnerships on anti-smuggling” with countries of origin and transit.

Existing agreements: There are already accords providing economic aid in return for blocking departures, signed with the Tunisian and Libyan governments.
* However, these accords, especially the one with Libya, have been criticized by human rights groups as against international maritime law, stating that Libya isn’t a safe port due to rampant abuses in its detention centers.

Political rifts: This move has led to controversy within Italy, the European Union and member states.
* Vice Premier Matteo Salvini has questioned the effectiveness of Meloni’s EU-Tunisia deal.
* Internally, there has been objection against the push through of the Tunisia plan, claiming it lacked proper consultation.

View original article on NPR

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