A non-governmental organization (NGO) conducting search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea has accused the Libyan coastguard of obstructing their efforts to rescue over 170 individuals attempting to make the dangerous voyage to Europe.
According to a declaration from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), their vessel intervened to aid two boats in international waters on Saturday. The first was a small fibreglass boat carrying 28 individuals, and the second was a double-deck wooden vessel with 143 passengers onboard, which seemed to be in a state of emergency.
The group reported that while they were nearing the larger boat, the LCG also approached and engaged in hazardous maneuvers, increasing the jeopardy for the individuals on board, primarily consisting of refugees from Syria.
A video, filmed from a crewed support aircraft run by maritime relief organization Sea-Watch, shows a patrol boat positioning itself between two rigid dinghies operated by MSF. One dinghy has begun rescuing individuals while the positioning hinders the other dinghy from reaching the distressed vessel.
An MSF representative, in a video shared on X, stated that the Libyan patrol ship engaged in hazardous maneuvers, obstructing the RIBs (rigid inflatable boats).
A male passenger captured on video can be heard stating: “Their intent is to instill fear in the backup boat.” A female passenger’s voice is also captured on the footage saying: “Their actions are incredibly hazardous.”
Juan Matías Gil, leader of the MSF’s search and rescue operation in Rome, stated that the Libyan coastguard made an effort to tow one of the dinghies. However, this was not permitted as the ship Geo Barents sails under the Norwegian flag, making it Norwegian territory in international waters. Gil expressed concerns about the potential outcome if the coastguard had been successful in boarding the boat.
According to Gil, the disruption to their mission continued for approximately two hours, even though they were communicating in English and Arabic with the Libyan coastguard. According to international law, the coastguard is responsible for rescuing anyone in need. MSF stated that only after intense negotiations and reaching out to Norwegian, Italian, and Libyan authorities, were they able to persuade the coastguard to leave. However, before leaving, the coastguard made additional threats towards them.
According to Gil, the individuals on the ships were primarily from Syria, including several young children and unaccompanied minors.
Following reports from survivors that up to 60 individuals had lost their lives while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Zawiya, Libya, last week, an incident occurred. The 25 survivors recounted that their dinghy’s engine had malfunctioned after three days at sea, leaving them stranded for several more days until they were saved by another humanitarian organization, SOS Méditerranée.
Better weather conditions have led to a rise in the amount of individuals being illegally transported across the Mediterranean in unsuitable and hazardous vessels.
On a later date of Saturday, MSF worked with the Libyan maritime rescue coordination center and the Italian authorities to save 75 individuals from a crowded fibreglass boat that had overturned. Among them, 45 had fallen into the water.
In January and February, there were 4,315 individuals who migrated from North Africa to the EU through the Mediterranean, according to the most recent information from Frontex, the border agency for the EU. It is anticipated that there will be a rise in these numbers in the upcoming weeks.
The Mediterranean remains the most perilous path for migrants and refugees, according to the International Organization for Migration. In 2023, there were over 3,000 fatalities and disappearances, with an additional 300 occurring so far this year.
The European Union (EU) offers monetary assistance to the Libyan coastguard for training and acquiring ships. The EU confirmed that all involved parties followed international laws.
A representative from the European Commission stated: “We do not have the ability to regulate the behavior of individuals. Regarding search and rescue, it is evident that it is an international responsibility for all and international maritime law is explicitly defined. Any actions that endanger human lives must be avoided at all costs.”
Officials from Libya in Brussels were reached out to for a response.
Source: theguardian.com
