Charities and organizations assisting migrants who cross the Mediterranean sea to Italy say they're gravely concerned about new Prime Minister Meloni's immigration policies amid the political rift with France over migrants rescued at sea.

This month Giorgia Meloni refused to allow the Ocean Viking rescue ship to dock in Italy, with 234 men, women, and children on onboard. Instead it was forced to travel further to a French port. 

Valentina Brindis, Advocacy Officer at Italian NGO Open Arms, said the right-wing government has displayed a dangerous stance during its first month in power. 

"In the first three weeks of the Meloni government we haven't actually seen politics of managing these influxes, we've simply seen attempts to block the efforts of humanitarian workers to save lives," she told CGTN Europe.  

Success story

Suleman Diara arrived in Italy from Mali 14-years-ago, but he remembers the life-threatening journey across the Mediterranean like it was yesterday.

"I travelled from Libya to Italy in a small boat with 28 others – we were at sea for two and a half days before a fishing boat rescued us. We were so lucky to all arrive safely because many people can die along the way," he said.  

Suleman was exploited when he arrived, forced to work on farms across southern Italy, picking fruit with other recently arrived immigrants. Diara had the determination to escape that daily hell, and he made his way to Rome to start a co-op making organic yoghurt, the Barikama Social Cooperative.

With gradual success, he started to employ those who are disadvantaged or marginalised such as those with Asperger's Syndrome.

The business model has now been extended to a café in the capital.

"Many people with Asperger's are discriminated against and abandoned by society. Working in this public space and speaking to clients, they can be social, in the same way, an African migrant can have the opportunity to learn the language and integrate," says Diara.

Friend and mentor Lorenzo Leonetti is at the forefront of the project, which was awarded a permit by Rome council.

"To learn a craft gives migrants the opportunity to transform their residency permit that was originally granted for humanitarian reasons – to an employment residency permit," explains Leonetti.

At the recent G20 Summit in Bali Meloni said "cooperating on migrants is better than fighting about them" but no new resolution was reached, and her government's anti-immigration stance has not changed. 

"What we say is that we need more European co-operation, both at the emergency zones and at the negotiating table, to determine the best strategy," Brindis protested. 

One day Suleman would like to return to live in Mali, but in the meantime, he's committed to helping others in his adopted home.

"For me, it is a pleasure to know that I can help others. This is what motivates me to go ahead, especially in these difficult political times"