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Does the map of Italy remind you of a boot? Because that boot stretches into the Mediterranean Sea, it’s a point closest to Libya. So people fleeing violence in Libya try to cross the Mediterranean to safety in Italy.
But many of the boats are not safe and don’t make it to shore. The passengers need to be rescued.
In 2016 and 2017, Italy’s government felt there were too many refugees and migrants trying to enter Italy. They didn’t like how the rescue boats were bringing so many people to safety.
One of the boats is the Iuventa (pronounced u-wenta). It had a crew of 10 people from Germany, Britain, Spain and Portugal. The “iuventa 10” crew felt it was more important to rescue refugees and migrants in danger of dying in the Mediterranean Sea than to listen to the wishes of the Italian government. Do you agree with them?
The Iuventa managed to rescue 14,000 people. But all that stopped on August 2, 2017. That’s when the government seized the ship and accused the “iuventa 10” of helping refugees and migrants to enter Italy.
For three years, the “iuventa 10” have been waiting for charges. For three years, they have been waiting to start rescuing people again.
Amnesty International has examined the actions in 2016 and 2017 of the “iuventa 10”. Other experts from an organization called Forensic Architecture has done the same. Neither says the crew is guilty of a crime. Both organizations believe the Iuventa and its crew should return to their life-saving work.
Let’s help them do that by sending an urgent message. Your letter could be a life saver!
WHAT CAN I DO?
Please write a letter to Prosecutor Brunella Sardoni.
- Start with Dear Prosecutor.
- If you are a student, tell her how old you are.
- Then write something like Please drop the investigation against the iuventa10 and let them get back to saving lives.
- Write your name, your town and your country.
- Add a picture or a drawing of a ship if you like.
WHERE DO I SEND MY MESSAGE?
Dott.ssa Brunella Sardoni
Sostituto Procuratore
Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di Trapani
Via XXX gennaio
91010 Trapani (TP)
Italia
Mailed letters are best but if you prefer, you can email Prosecutor Sardoni at
brunella.sardoni@giustizia.it
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
After you have sent your message, please also sign Amnesty International’s petition at https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/iuventa-10-rescuers-justice/ and ask friends and family to do the same. Thank you!
If you would like future actions, reach us at urgentaction@amnesty.ca. There is no cost.
