(John Vibes) Pia Klemp, a 35 year old German boat captain, is facing up to 20 years in prison for rescuing refugees who were drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. Klemp is accused by authorities in Italy, for “assisting in illegal immigration,” and if convicted, she will serve her sentence in an Italian prison.
Related The Refugee Crisis – Germany Can’t Find 50% of those They Now Want to Deport
by John Vibes, June 18th, 2019
Klemp works with a charity called Sea-Watch that conducts rescue missions for people who are stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. The vast majority of the people who are rescued in these missions are refugees coming from Africa and the Middle East.
However, the charges against her claim that she coordinated with smugglers to collect migrants at rendezvous points, and that the “rescue” missions were just a deception to avoid legal charges, for what was actually an elaborate smuggling operation.
Buy Book Sacred Geometry for Artists, Dreamers, and Philosophers: Secrets of Harmonic Creation
Klemp denies the charges against her and insists that her actions to save people from distress were totally legal according to international law.
https://www.facebook.com/HelpRefugeesUK/photos/a.123267671367248/871194256574582/?type=3
“We have only followed international law, especially the law of the sea, where the highest priority is to save people from distress. The rescue is criminalized. We are already paralyzed. And that’s why people are dying on the Mediterranean,” Klep told the Swiss paper Basler Zeitung, according to the Standard.
Klemp is known worldwide as a charity worker and humanitarian, but now she is being treated like a criminal. Over 183,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Italy drop the charges against her.
“We are accused of aiding and abetting illegal entry. On it stands up to 20 years imprisonment and horrendous fines. We are facing a year-long show trial. The legal and legal costs alone will amount to over 300,000 euros (£266,000) plus travel and campaign costs,” Klemp explained.
Buy Book What Went Right: Reframe Your Thinking for a Happier Now
Hannes Seidel, who organized the petition called the criminalization of sea rescues an “unconditional surrender of humanity in Europe”.
Seidel pointed out that these people who are fleeing to Europe need help and shouldn’t be treated as criminals.
“This is an injustice to all the people in need who, out of desperation, flee across the Mediterranean Sea and risk their lives,” he added.
15% of people crossing from north Africa die at sea, according to the refugee charity “Help Refugees.”
The persecution of Klemp is reportedly part of a larger immigration crack-down that was implemented last year by the newly appointed Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
This case is similar to that of Scott Warren, a college professor, and charity worker who was facing up to 20 years in prison for leaving food and water for immigrants near the border, and also providing a safe house for them to stay the night. Luckily, a jury was unable to come to a decision in the case, and a mistrial was declared. The jurors in the case were deadlocked, with 8 believing that he was innocent and 4 believing that he was guilty. After much deliberation, each side said that there was nothing that could change their minds, so the judge declared a mistrial.
Buy Book WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR: A Book That Changes Lives
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The preceding information is a news update. In general, staying informed as to events taking place is essential as an individual because it helps you navigate the world, and socially because you can gain and maintain rapport with your fellows. This rapport can be used to share information that can help others and improve the conditions of humanity in general. However, one must learn how to exercise discernment and proper critical thinking so they can make effective use of information gained.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammar mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
Source:
Leave a Reply