Humanitarians in Italy were acquitted Wednesday, October 7 on charges of aiding unauthorized immigrants after picking up African migrants stranded in the Mediterranean Sea.

No More Deaths representatives met with one of the humanitarians, ship captain Stefan Schmidt, in Germany last March.  Recognizing the similar strands of increased criminalization amidst the growing global diaspora caused by trade inequities and conflict, No More Deaths joined with Pro Asyl to bring international pressure against the Italian Government to drop the charges.

We share the deep relief that the Italian court has recognized that criminalizing humanitarians is, in fact, to further the violation of human rights occurring in the European Union.  No More Deaths stands along our partners across the globe who seek to end the death and suffering brought by environmental, economic and trade inequities that drive global migration.

Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime!