The EU-funded Libyan Coast Guard fires at the Ocean Viking attempting to rescue a dinghy with 80 people in distress
The UN flag is urgently needed
«Libyan Coast Guard, Libyan Coast Guard, we are leaving the area, stop firing, you are putting us in danger,” repeats mission leader Luisa Albera pointlessly over the radio. ‘We are a humanitarian ship, you cannot shoot at us, you cannot shoot at us,’ she scolds. No response, as usual. The same happens when one of the mediators on board repeats the message in Arabic. The only reaction is new volleys of gunfire and the siren sounding insistently.» (Source: www.repubblica.it)
Photo: www.today.it
“Don’t shoot at us. You can’t shoot at us”, is distinctly heard. In the images recorded from aboard, the Libyan Coast Guard patrol vessel 656 can be seen aiming straight at the side of the Ocean Viking, then turning quickly at a safe distance well past it, while the siren sounds insistently.
IT IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER TO SPREAD THE PETITION
‘Under the flag of the UNITED NATIONS for life’
www.missionebuonpastore.org
In the Petition, an online collection of signatures – also signed by the Archbishop of Naples, Domenico Battaglia and promoted by, among others, the Naples Human Rights Film Festival, Pax Christi and ResQ (A ship that saves people and rights) – the abolition of the Sar in Libya, which is not considered a safe port, is also called for. The petition is addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the UNHCR, the Human Rights Council and the International Maritime Organisation.
Image: www.vaticannews.va
“Being able to display the UN insignia on our ships would be an initiative with symbolic value. It would mean recognising the importance of the work to protect life and human dignity that is done on board humanitarian ships,” explains ResQ spokesperson Cecilia Strada. “In this period – which has actually lasted for a few years – in which rescue at sea is criminalised just as migrants crossing the sea are criminalised,” she stresses, “to be able to recognise and reaffirm the pure humanitarian value of saving human life would be quite an important step”.(Source: www.vaticannews.va)
