Rédaction Africa Links 24 with H Mohammed
Published on 2024-03-19 21:10:18
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is an NGO that conducts search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea. Recently, the organization accused the Libyan coastguard of obstructing their efforts to save over 170 people who were attempting the dangerous journey across the sea to Europe.
According to a statement released by MSF, their ship encountered two boats in distress in international waters. One was a small fiberglass boat carrying 28 individuals, and the other was a double-deck wooden vessel with 143 people on board, mostly Syrian refugees. As MSF approached the larger boat to render assistance, the Libyan coastguard also approached and engaged in what MSF described as dangerous maneuvers that further endangered the lives of those on board.
A video captured by a support aircraft operated by the maritime rescue NGO Sea-Watch showed a Libyan patrol vessel positioning itself between two rigid dinghies operated by MSF. This positioning made it impossible for the second dinghy to reach the vessel in distress, effectively blocking MSF’s rescue operation. MSF officials reported that the Libyan coastguard attempted to tow away one of the dinghies, but MSF intervened to prevent this, asserting their rights as a vessel under the Norwegian flag in international waters.
Juan MatÃas Gil, the head of MSF’s search and rescue mission in Rome, stated that the interference from the Libyan coastguard lasted for about two hours despite communication attempts in English and Arabic. Eventually, after tense negotiations and calls to various authorities, the Libyan coastguard backed off, but not before making threats towards the MSF team. The people on board the ships included children under 13 and unaccompanied minors, mainly from Syria.
This incident occurred in the context of a broader humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. Survivors reported that as many as 60 people had died the previous week after embarking on the journey from the Libyan coast. The International Organization for Migration highlighted the dangers of the Mediterranean route, with over 3,000 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2023.
The European Union, which provides financial support to the Libyan coastguard, defended the actions of the authorities, stating that all actions must comply with international law. A spokesperson for the European Commission emphasized the importance of search and rescue operations as an international obligation and called for adherence to maritime laws to avoid putting lives at risk.
In conclusion, the confrontation between MSF and the Libyan coastguard underscores the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in the Mediterranean. As the region continues to be a perilous route for migrants and refugees, coordination and adherence to international laws are crucial to prevent further loss of life at sea.
Read the original article on Libya Update
