Italy prepares new crackdown on migrant rescue efforts – POLITICO

ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is preparing a new clampdown on NGOs involved in migrant rescues at sea, with fines of up to €10,000 for breaching the rules.

The right-wing Meloni government has taken a hardline approach to migrant arrivals in Italy by boat, spearheading deals with African governments to block departures and instigating automatic detention for irregular migrants.

It has made it increasingly difficult for migrant rescue boats operated by humanitarian organziations, restricting the number of rescues they can carry out, obliging them to make detours and impounding vessels at Italian ports.