Italy closes ports to NGO migrant ships, hundreds left stranded
CBSN
Italy allowed a humanitarian rescue ship carrying 179 migrants to enter a Sicilian port and begin disembarking minors early Sunday, while refusing to respond to requests for safe harbor from three other ships carrying 900 more people in nearby waters.
Italy's new far-right-led government has closed its ports to rescue ships run by non-governmental groups and insists that the countries whose flag the ships fly must take in the migrants. It granted the Humanity 1 alone access to port to land minors and people needing medical attention.
Officials at the German-run charity that operates the Humanity 1 challenged Italy's move to distinguish "vulnerable" migrants, saying all were rescued at sea and that alone qualifies them for a safe port under international law.
