Libyan coast guard accused of attacking migrant rescue ship
The Libyan coast guard has been accused of firing on an active rescue vessel in the central Mediterranean Sea on August 24th, according to the Libya Review.
The ship, the Ocean Viking, is chartered by the humanitarian group the SOS Mediterranee in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
When the attack occurred on August 24th, the ship was in international waters, carrying 87 migrants it had already rescued from boats and searching for a migrant boat in distress.
SOS Mediterranee stated that the attack lasted around 20 minutes.
Whilst no casualties have been reported, the Ocean Viking sustained “significant damage” and the organization described the event as one of the most violent confrontations to date between a European search and rescue ship and Libyan authorities.
The SOS Mediterranee’s director of operations, Soazic Dupuy, stated, “We demand a full investigation into the events of yesterday afternoon and that those responsible for these life-threatening attacks be brought to justice.”
Organizations like SOS Mediterranee argue that these rescue missions, like the ones being carried out on August 24th, are crucial to save lives, whilst some European governments argue that they encourage dangerous crossings.
The Libyan coast guard receives substantial training, equipment, and funding from the European Union.
On July 25th, it was reported that Libya’s eastern government had agreed a deal with Greece for Libyan coast guard units to be provided specialist training in board, search and seizure, and search and rescue tactics in order to better tackle illegal immigration.
Greece and Libya also coordinated in the deployment of two Greek naval frigates in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya, as first reported by Maghrebi on June 26th.
The Libyan coast guard has frequently been criticised by humanitarian groups for its use of aggressive tactics and treatment of migrants, and the EU has subsequently been accused of enabling their actions by outsourcing migration control to Libyan authorities in an effort to curb migrant crossings into Europe.
Libyan authorities have not responded to requests to comment.
Libya Review/Maghrebi
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