Thread by @ECCHRBerlin

One year ago, on 21 May 2022, the pre-trial proceedings against the @IuventaCrew & others began in Italy. ECCHR & partners have been monitoring the hearings. Today, we look back at one year of the criminalization of solidarity. #SavingLivesIsNotACrime

A timeline of key events 🧵

21 May 2022 – Beginning of the preliminary hearings in the sea rescue case against the @IuventaCrew. Accused of “facilitating irregular entry,” they could face up to 20 years in prison – for saving thousands in distress in the Mediterranean. Keep in mind #SolidarityIsNotACrime!

16 June 2022 – The hearings were suspended due to procedural errors by the prosecution, which failed to properly inform multiple defendants of the charges against them, hindering the exercise of their procedural rights. The case was sent back to the prosecution for correction.

03 December 2022 – Independent observers accessed the Court for the first time. But the hearing was postponed again due to authorities' continued failure to provide adequate interpretation for Iuventa defendant Dariush Beigui's voluntary questioning by police.

19 December 2022 – The Italian Prime Minister's Office made a rare request to be admitted as a joint plaintiff, along with the Ministry of Interior. With escalating negative discourse & policy towards civil sea rescue, it increased concerns over the case’s politicization.

10 February 2023 – The marathon 10-hour preliminary hearing included defense lawyers’ arguments against the Italian government’s request to join as plaintiffs and on the inadequate quality of interpretation and translation.

25 February 2023 – The judge partially granted the Italian government’s request to become a joint plaintiff in the case. @IuventaCrew’s lawyers challenged the jurisdiction and territorial competence of the Court of #Trapani.

03 May 2023 – Three UN Special Rapporteurs called out the Italian government on the case against the @IuventaCrew and the criminalization of human rights defenders. @MaryLawlorhrds called for the dismissal of the proceedings, a powerful reminder that #SavingLivesIsNotACrime.

12 May 2023 - The @IuventaCrew defense launched a constitutional complaint challenging the legal basis of the accusations against them and the criminalization of all facilitation of irregular migration as smuggling. #SolidarityIsNotACrime #DecriminalizeFacilitation

ECCHR is partnering with @EldhLaw, @giurdem, @DJS_JDS, @AED_EDL, @amnesty and @amnestyitalia to closely monitor the preliminary hearings in the sea rescue case. Read on for our reports 👇ecchr.eu/en/case/sea-re… @AllisonRWest @Femminicidio @aebli_mel @Elisa_De_Pieri @Ilarmasi