01:22Germany: Activists call for release of Sea-Watch captain outside Cologne's Italian consulate
A handful of activists protested outside the Italian consulate in Cologne on Tuesday, demanding the release of the Sea-Watch 3 Captain Carola Rackete, who was arrested after disobeying a military vessel and bringing her ship with rescued migrants into the port of Lampedusa last week.
"We want the Italian government to realise that this is in Europe and they're a member state of the EU. Lots of people do not just accept these policies. The consulate did not notify us. We're ready for further discussions but only in adherence with fundamental human rights," said one protester.
"As a society, we cannot accept the punishment of those who are saving people from drowning. We need more rescuers, not fewer. We need a European state-wide rescue mission so this undertaking is not just for private initiatives, who are in grave danger of being punished," he added.
Rackete, who's now under house arrest in Lampedusa, is charged with resistance and violence against warship and attempted shipwreck. If convicted, she could face 10 years in prison.
01:22A handful of activists protested outside the Italian consulate in Cologne on Tuesday, demanding the release of the Sea-Watch 3 Captain Carola Rackete, who was arrested after disobeying a military vessel and bringing her ship with rescued migrants into the port of Lampedusa last week.
"We want the Italian government to realise that this is in Europe and they're a member state of the EU. Lots of people do not just accept these policies. The consulate did not notify us. We're ready for further discussions but only in adherence with fundamental human rights," said one protester.
"As a society, we cannot accept the punishment of those who are saving people from drowning. We need more rescuers, not fewer. We need a European state-wide rescue mission so this undertaking is not just for private initiatives, who are in grave danger of being punished," he added.
Rackete, who's now under house arrest in Lampedusa, is charged with resistance and violence against warship and attempted shipwreck. If convicted, she could face 10 years in prison.