In Italy, NGOs operating in the Mediterranean have voiced strong opposition to a proposed immigration and security bill that aims to impose stricter regulations on rescue operations for migrants. This opposition is particularly marked following a history of previous legislation that they feel has progressively restricted their capabilities to assist those in need at sea. The current bill, which has yet to be voted on in Parliament, has stirred outrage among these organizations, leading them to form a united front against the government’s policies on migration and rescue efforts.

The proposed law has elicited reactions from several notable figures and groups within the humanitarian community. Notably, nine NGOs, including Alarm Phone, Emergency, and Medici Senza Frontiere, released a statement criticizing the government's approach to addressing migrant rescues. They argue that the potential implementation of a “naval blockade” represents a dramatic expansion of restrictive measures that they believe undermine civil rescue efforts in the Mediterranean Sea. The NGOs express concerns that this legislative action will err on the side of obstruction and punishment for those engaged in humanitarian assistance rather than focusing on the root causes of migration and the protection of human rights.

The implications of this proposed law could be significant for Italy's relationship with its maritime neighbors and the wider EU policy on migration. The NGOs view the crackdown as an infringement on international norms regarding the rescue and treatment of migrants at sea. Their reluctance to comply with what they term an 'outrageous law' signals a potential escalation in the ongoing battle between humanitarian work and government regulations that critics argue prioritize enforcement and deterrence over compassion and support for vulnerable populations.