Italy’s Supreme Court has ruled that the government must compensate a group of migrants stranded aboard the Coast Guard ship Diciotti for ten days in August 2018 after being rescued near Lampedusa. The delay, ordered by then-Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, violated their rights, the court found, referring the case to a judge to determine damages.
The March 6 decision has sparked fresh friction between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration and the judiciary, often dubbed “red togas” for its perceived left-wing leanings. Meloni didn’t hold back, calling the ruling “questionable” and slamming the idea of using taxpayers’ money to compensate individuals who entered the country illegally. “This is frustrating when we’re struggling to fund essential services,” she wrote on X.
Deputy PM Antonio Tajani warned that such rulings could set a dangerous precedent, potentially draining state finances. Lega’s Andrea Crippa called it “stunning,” while Salvini dismissed it as “yet another disgrace.” “If the judges care so much, let them pay and take the migrants in themselves,” he scoffed.
The Diciotti case, involving 190 migrants, was part of Salvini’s push for EU burden-sharing on migration. Some, including minors and those with health issues, were eventually allowed to disembark. The rest remained onboard until a deal was struck for other countries and Vatican structures to take them in. Prosecutors initially pursued kidnapping charges against Salvini, but the Senate blocked the trial, and no prosecution followed.
Despite the ruling, Meloni’s government has taken a hard line on immigration, tightening border policies and striking deals with North African nations. The result? A reported 60% drop in irregular sea arrivals in 2023. But with this latest court decision, the battle over Italy’s immigration policies is far from over.
