UNHCR: bring people on board Aquarius ashore

rome - The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) wants a solution to be found for the stalemate around the rescue ship Aquarius. The vessel with more than six hundred migrants on board has not yet received permission to moor.

The UNHCR calls on the governments involved to bring the vessel's crew on land. 'People are in need. The food is running out and they need help quickly '', says UNHCR envoy Vincent Cochetel in a statement. He states that questions about who is responsible can be discussed later.

According to UNHCR, 13 706 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year so far. 'That is a sharp decrease compared to the past years,' the UN agency concludes.

The European Commission calls on Italy and Malta to find a solution for the more than 600 migrants as quickly as possible. 'This is about people, more than 600, including minors. It should be the priority of both Italy and Malta to ensure that these people receive the care they need, 'said a spokesman in Brussels.

Italy refused to let the ship build earlier and asked Malta to take care of the passengers. However, the Maltese government also refuses to admit them. The commission, which itself has no authority to intervene, points to the humanitarian duty of the countries. Brussels asks the countries to ensure that they can dispose of quickly. ''

According to the new Italian Minister of Internal Affairs, Matteo Salvini, who is also the leader of the right-wing populist Lega, there is 'this time someone who says no' to illegal migration and people smuggling. He threatens to close all ports.

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