Abstract

The decision of Catania's public prosecutor to seize the search-and-rescue ship Open Arms paved the way for three judicial rulings, the outcomes of which will seemingly go well beyond the present case with reference to both the domestic legal system and the claim involving Italy's international responsibility. Through a critical reading of the afore-mentioned rulings, the present paper will assess the issues of Italy's international responsibility for search and rescue coordination and involved NGO's rights and duties.