UN General Assembly President John Ashe has informed Italy that he will
try and raise with India the issue of the two Italian marines who are being
tried for killing two Indian fishermen during his three-day visit that begins
today.
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano met
Ashe here on Monday and "briefed him on the situation of the two-year-old
case of the marines.
"In response, President Ashe
informed the Minister that in the course of his imminent State visit to India,
he will be alert for whatever opportunity presents itself to raise the
issue," a statement issued by Ashe's spokesperson said.
Ashe will visit India from March 19-22, during which he is
expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister
Salman Khurshid.
Alfano also briefed the President of the General Assembly on issues of
priority for Italy, including enhancing efforts to counter terrorism and human
trafficking.
Alfano had also met UN chief Ban Ki-moon but according to information
provided by the office of Ban's spokesperson, there was no mention of the issue
of the Italian marines and their trial in India during Ban's meeting with
Alfano.
A readout provided by Ban's office about the meeting said the
Secretary-General "called on Italy to ensure that refugees crossing the
Mediterranean are treated with dignity and that the principle of
non-refoulement is respected.
"He expressed concern about
reports of severe treatment of migrants, especially women, at reception camps
and underscored the need to ensure their humanrights.
"The Secretary-General praised
Italy for its contribution to peacekeeping, the fight against organised crime
and counterterrorism efforts, especially in NorthAfrica, the Sahel and the
Horn. He thanked Italy for accepting another group of residents from Camp
Hurriya."
Ahead of his meeting with Ban, Alfano had said that Italy is willing to
try the marines "at home, but in the meantime we ask for their
freedom."
Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone shot dead two fishermen
off the Kerala coast in February 2012, sparking diplomatic
tensions between India and Italy.
The marines, deployed on the Italian-flagged oil tanker MT Enrica
Lexie, said they mistook the fishermen for pirates. They are now staying in the
Italian Embassy in New Delhi awaiting trial.
India has removed the possibility of a death penalty but insisted that
the marines would still be prosecuted under the anti-piracy law and face up to 10 years in prison.
Italy has said the marines should be tried in Italy since the incident
took place in international waters. However, New Delhi says it has the right to
try the Italians as the victims were Indians on board an Indian fishing boat.
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