Italy to Pay Sea-Watch NGO for 2019 Vessel Detention | Mariner News
An Italian court has ordered the government to pay compensation to the migrant rescue NGO Sea-Watch for the unlawful detention of its vessel, Sea-Watch 3, in 2019. This landmark decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean.
Compensation for Unlawful Detention
After years of civil proceedings in Palermo, the court ruled that the Italian state owes Sea-Watch $89,000 for expenses incurred during the “unlawful” detention of its ship. The ruling validates the position of the non-governmental organization, which argued that its actions during the high-profile incident were in accordance with maritime law.
The 2019 Standoff Explained
The incident began in mid-2019 when Sea-Watch 3, under Captain Carola Rackete, rescued distressed migrants off Libya and proceeded to Lampedusa. Despite orders from then-interior minister Matteo Salvini to close the port, the vessel entered the harbor, making brief contact with a Guardia di Finanza patrol boat. Rackete faced criminal charges, which were later dismissed, but the vessel remained detained until December 2019.
Political Backlash and Migrant Policy
The court’s decision drew a sharp reaction from current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who expressed being “literally speechless” and accused the judiciary of politicized rulings. Meloni reaffirmed her government’s commitment to preventing illegal migrant arrivals, underscoring the deep political divisions and challenges faced by humanitarian rescue organizations operating in European waters.
