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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 7 august 2019

UN refugee agency says new Italian law could endanger lives

Associated Press stentions in favor of his de-
BRUSSELS (AP) — The United cree, Interior Minister Mat-
Nations refugee agency teo Salvini called the move
expressed concern Tues- “a step forward toward
day that a new Italian law a more secure Italy” and
authorizing massive fines thanked the Italian people
against the owners of pri- and “the blessed Virgin
vate rescue ships could Mary,” according to Italian
endanger the lives of mi- news agency ANSA.
grants attempting to cross The European Union’s ex-
the Mediterranean Sea. ecutive commission said it
A so-called “security de- was analyzing the legisla-
cree” drafted by Italy’s tion to see if it is compatible
right-wing interior minister with EU laws.
and given final parliamen- Since taking office last year
tary approval Monday in a populist coalition gov-
raised the maximum fine ernment, Salvini has made
for entering Italian waters keeping migrants from
without permission to 1 mil- reaching Italy and pressur-
lion euros ($1.1 million) from ing other European coun-
a previous 50,000 euros tries to take responsibility for
($56,000). new arrivals a top priority.
The law also allows for the He banned ships on hu-
arrest of captains who ig- Personnel of a Maltese Armed Force vessel, right, helps a man to board their ship from the German manitarian rescue missions
nore orders to stay out of humanitarian vessel Alan Kurdi, off the Maltese coast, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. from bringing migrants into
Italian ports and the imme- Associated Press the country’s ports, argu-
diate seizure of their boats play “an invaluable role” in or stigmatized.” Italy’s law withdrawn from rescue ef- ing that their presence in
by Italian naval authorities. saving lives and “the com- “could deter or impede sea forts” in the Mediterranean, the Mediterranean encour-
The U.N. agency said non- mitment and humanity that rescue activities by private UNHCR said. aged smugglers to launch
governmental organiza- motivates their activities vessels at a time when Eu- After the Italian Senate unseaworthy boats from
tions operating rescue ships should not be criminalized ropean states have largely voted 160-57 with 21 ab- northern Africa.q

Mozambique peace accord signed,

paves way for elections

By ANDREW MELDRUM Portuguese news agency Lusa said the
Associated Press signing ceremony in Mozambique’s capi-
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Mozambique’s tal of Maputo was witnessed by five Afri-
president and the leader of the coun- can heads of state, including South Afri-
try’s main opposition group signed a new can President Cyril Ramaphosa.
peace accord Tuesday, pledging to end Thousands of Maputo residents also at-
years of violence and facilitate elections tended the ceremony in Peace Square,
in the fall. including many children wearing T-shirts
In signing the Peace and National Rec- printed with the phrase “Ultimate Peace.” Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, left, and Renamo leader
onciliation Agreement, President Filipe The European Union’s foreign policy Ossufo Momade join hands, as they exchange documents, at
Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Mo- chief, Federica Mogherini, and Portu- a signing agreement in Maputo, Mozambique, Tuesday, Aug.
made said they would peacefully partici- guese Foreign Secretary Teresa Rebeiro 6, 2019.
pate in Oct. 15 elections. were present as well.q Associated Press