Catania’s prosecutor accuses Malta ‘of systematically refusing the use of its ports for the migrant landings”
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La Sicilia: The prosecutor of Catania Zuccaro “gave his blessing” to the setup of international hotspots and warned that if the “traffic dimensions” of desperate people are conditioned by the answers at the political level: if the measures adopted are not applied, then we risk that the phenomenon will be governed exclusively by criminal organisations.”
Carmelo Zuccaro said this while taking part in the second day of the national conference on “The new frontiers of immigration” promoted by the association of magistrates Democratic Area for Justice (Area Dg).
In his comments, Zuccaro said that the Italian rescue centre at sea “covers an area that has been extended to 1.5 million square kilometres, due to the disengagement of the Maltese authorities who also should guard a Search and Rescue area of not modest proportion along the route of the central Mediterranean sea. He accused Malta of systematically refusing the use of its ports for the landings.”
“From the official documents – Zuccaro has specified – the Italian Sar area is of 500 thousand square kilometres, and it is not directly bordering the Libyan territorial waters. Between the two areas there is the Maltese Search and Rescue Area, which is 250 thousand square kilometres, is interposed, however the Maltese relief authority systematically refuses to intervene in the requests for assistance”, he added.
Zuccaro said that to save lives and avoid stories of violence and abuse one needs to create hotspots which are managed internationally. “This is the only way, in my opinion, to put an end to the shameful trafficking of migrants by criminal organisations.”
“The most effective way to stop the trafficking of human beings – the prosecutor continued – is that of the agreements. Human solidarity, can not be nourished for people fleeing conflict situations and persecution of various kinds; shall not allow the survival of a system that forces migrants to make a dangerous journey in the desert, before, to be delivered in hands of ruthless murderers later, of which they become hostages, and for whom we organise rescues to the sea to free them.”
