Interior Minister Marco Minniti
said Wednesday that Italy was not involved in pushing back
asylum seekers to Libya after the Council of Europe's Human
Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks asked for clarification about
Rome's agreement with the North African country.
"Neither Italian ships nor those that collaborate with the
Italian Coast Guard have ever taken rescued migrants back to
Libya," he said.
"The activities of the Italian authorities are aimed at
(providing) training, equipment and logistical support to the
Libyan Coast Guard, not push-back activities".
Muiznieks said Wednesday that he had written to Minniti
asking for clarification about the agreement, which has
contributed to a big reduction in the number of migrants
arriving in Italy from North Africa in recent months.
"I would be grateful if you could clarify what kind of
support operations your government expects to provide to the
Libyan authorities in Libyan territorial waters and what
safeguards Italy has put in place to ensure that people
intercepted or rescued by Italian vessels in Libyan territorial
waters do not subsequently face a situation contrary to Article
3 of the European Convention (on Human Rights)," Muiznieks
wrote.
He said this regards the "real risk of torture or inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment"
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