The court in Palermo has ruled that Italy's government is liable to compensate the non-governmental organization Sea Watch for the unlawful seizure of its migrant rescue ship back in 2019. The decision, which mandates a payout of 76,000 euros (approximately 1.8 million CZK), highlights flaws in the actions of Italian authorities, who failed to respond adequately to a request from Sea Watch to reverse the seizure of their vessel. This case underscores the legal and humanitarian tensions surrounding migrant rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

The ship was confiscated after its captain, Carola Rackete, entered the port of Lampedusa against a directive from the Italian Ministry of the Interior, despite having 40 migrants aboard who had been waiting for permission to disembark for 16 days. Rackete's decision to breach the order was made in light of the dire conditions on the ship, pointing to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that such organizations are responding to. The seizure followed a contentious period regarding Italy's stance towards non-profit maritime rescues.

Ultimately, Italian authorities not only made a mistake in seizing the vessel but also in ignoring Sea Watch's requests for reinstatement. This ruling serves as a significant precedent in the ongoing legal discourse about the responsibilities and rights of NGOs engaged in rescue missions in the Mediterranean, shedding light on the broader issues at play in Europe's approach to migration and maritime law.