Italy passes bill authorizing government to impose ‘naval blockades’ on migrant vessels

Italy passes bill authorizing government to impose ‘naval blockades’ on migrant vessels
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Italy’s Cabinet approved a bill Wednesday allowing “naval blockades” to halt migrant boats during periods of “exceptional pressure” at the country’s borders, Anadolu Agency reported.

It marked another step by the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in its efforts to tighten measures against irregular migration.

According to the bill, entry into Italian territorial waters could be banned for up to 30 days — extendable to a maximum of six months — in situations posing serious threats to public order or national security, such as a concrete risk of terrorist activity or infiltration.

The bill authorizes a naval blockade in cases of exceptional migratory pressure that could undermine the secure management of borders.

Migrants intercepted at sea in such circumstances could be transferred to third countries, excluding their countries of origin, with which Italy has special agreements.

Italy’s new migration package, including tighter border surveillance and closer cooperation with European agencies, comes a day after the approval of the EU migration and asylum pact, which Rome says it will implement swiftly.

Since 2023, several legal measures introduced by the Meloni government have complicated rescue operations by NGO vessels operating in Italian waters.