On the 19th of August, Worldday of Huminitarian Help, Sea Watch points out: : Civil Rescue Ships are #NotATarget! If we look on the incidents of the last week, we have to say: Seems like this is not clear to everyone. What has happened so far? We have a summary for you:
Libyan Coastguards kidnapped Rescueboat of spanish NGO
Around 30 sea miles in front of the Libyan shore a dangerous incident between the Libyan Coastguards and the ship Golfo Azzurro of Proactive Open Arms happened. The activists were threatened with weapons and forced to drive into the direction of Tripolis. After two hours they were set free again. But this incident shows how incalculable and militant the LYCG are acting, after they proclaimed the Search-and-Rescue Zone to be 70 sea miles and prohibited NGOs to enter it.
First Milestone of our petition
We cracked the 10.000 signature-mark for our petition. Thank you for your support! But the recent situation and the incident between Proactive Open Arms and the LYCG shows us, that 10.000 is not enough! We want to end EU-financed violence against refugees and migrants by the Libyan Coastguard!
Petition: End EU-financed violence against refugees and migrants by the Libyan Coastguard!
German Government warns Libya
The German government reacts to the claim of civil rescuers and gives a statement to the conflict between NGOs and the LYCG in the Mediterranean Sea. A Speaker of the government told the newspaper DIE WELT: „In the discussions with Libya the government marks out, that the facility of a Libyan Search-and-Rescue-Area must not violate international law.“ It is open how effective this warning will be. But one thing clear: „If the EU cooperates with the Libyan Coastguards in the recent situation in Libya, knowing that the saved ones have to fear strongest violations of human rights, they are also guilty.”, say Specialist of International Law Nora Markard in her interview with Sea-Watch.
„Jugend rettet“ int the Talkshow Dunja Hayali
The Ship Iuventa of Jugend rettet was confiscated. The organization refused to sign the Code of Conduct of Italy. Now they might have to face a prosecution – the proofs therefor can be questioned. Titus Molkenbur of Jugend rettet was at the Talkshow Dunja Hayali and discussed with Wolfgang Mosbach and Katrin Göring-Eckhardt about civil rescuing. He points out: „The people on the boats are in horrible conditions. They have gun shot wounds, whippings and the women have been sexually abused. That is not a „Taxi“! To sit on a german couch, claiming this to be taxis, makes me incredibly angry.“
The recent situation
Golfo Azzurro was threatened, Iuventa was confiscated and also the boats from Sea-Eye, Doctors without borders and Save the Children are staying at the harbor right now. The MRCC published an official warning. Sea-Eye protested against the lack of European support by showing a banner on the open sea.
But there are also positive news: The Crews of MOAS and SOS Mediterranee saved on Tuesday 112 people, in addition to that Proactive Open Arms managed to bring 235 refugees to a safe harbor this weekend.
