[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] France has decided to forcibly deport 44 of the 234 migrants who were on the refugee rescue ship "Ocean Viking," which was allowed to dock on the 11th (local time), according to French international radio broadcaster RFI on the 15th.
Gerald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, stated in the National Assembly that asylum was not granted to the 44 individuals and that they would be sent back to their home countries once their health improves. Minister Darmanin further explained that so far, 60 migrants, including 44 minors, have been granted asylum eligibility, and they are scheduled to be distributed among a total of 12 European Union (EU) member states, including France, Germany, Finland, and Portugal. Minister Darmanin expressed gratitude by naming each of the 11 countries other than France and evaluated that Europe has presented a solution.
Minister Darmanin explained that since the review process is still ongoing, the number of migrants who must return to their home countries may increase.
The Ocean Viking drifted in the Mediterranean for three weeks after Italy refused to allow it to dock, before finally docking at the port of Toulon, France, on the 11th. RFI reported that prior to the Ocean Viking, the French government had never allowed refugee rescue ships in the Mediterranean to dock.
The French government also engaged in a verbal dispute with the Italian government over the issue of the Ocean Viking's docking.
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