Migrants are photographed for identification as they disembark from the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3, which was carrying 47 migrants, as it docked at the Sicilian port of Catania, southern Italy, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Europe's latest migrant standoff came to a conclusion Thursday as 47 migrants kept at sea for nearly two weeks while Italy pressured European countries to take them in finally disembarked from their rescue ship in Sicily. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
The Associated Press
ROME (AP) - The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner says she is "deeply concerned" about Italy's treatment of migrants at home and at sea and is seeking clarification from the government about a recent law and move to empty big migrant welcome centers.
Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic told Premier Giuseppe Conte in a letter released Thursday that she regretted the "apparent hastiness" with which one center was emptied. She also cited "disconcerting reports" that some migrants deserving of protections might be made homeless by a new law restricting their benefits.
Mijatovic also took aim at Italy's refusal to let aid group rescue ships dock and its "relinquishing responsibility" of rescues to Libya. She wrote: "I urge you to ensure that the human rights of persons rescued at sea are never put at risk."
A migrant is cheered along as he disembarks from the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3, which was carrying 47 migrants, as it docked at the Sicilian port of Catania, southern Italy, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Europe's latest migrant standoff came to a conclusion Thursday as 47 migrants kept at sea for nearly two weeks while Italy pressured European countries to take them in finally disembarked from their rescue ship in Sicily. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, Italian Finance Police board the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 after it disembarked 47 migrants at the Sicilian port of Catania, southern Italy. The Coast Guard said in a statement Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 that the ship operated by the German humanitarian group Sea-Watch will not be allowed to leave port due to safety violations. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli, file)
The Associated Press