The refugee rescue ship Ocean Viking of the SOS Mediterranee non-governmental organization rescued 230 refugees, 57 of them children, in 6 different operations off the coast of Libya between 22-26 October. Although it was reported that the health of some of the refugees on the ship was critical, the Italian government did not allow docking on the ship for 3 weeks. SOS Mediterranee officials have repeatedly addressed the Italian authorities and made a press statement on 8 November, saying, “The situation in Ocean Viking has reached a critical limit. “We face very serious consequences, including risks of loss of life,” he said.
DESPITE NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS, SILENT
SOS Mediterranee said in a statement: “After a deafening silence, we have contacted Italy, which, under the law of the sea, is most likely to assist the RCC in its capacity to provide a Place of Safety. However, the newly elected government has imposed a discriminatory and implicit ban on all NGO-operated search and rescue vessels from entering its territorial waters, and most importantly, it has not allocated a Safe Place despite our numerous official requests.
THE CONDITION ON THE SHIP REACHED CRITICAL LEVELS
The European Commission issued a statement on 9 November, “The European Commission calls for the immediate disembarkation of all persons rescued (at sea) and aboard the Ocean Viking in the nearest safe place. The situation on the ship has reached a critical level and needs to be addressed urgently to avoid a humanitarian tragedy. The legal obligation to rescue and ensure the safety of life at sea is clear and unequivocal, regardless of the circumstances that put people in danger. The United Nations refugee agencies also made a joint statement on November 7, stating that the ship had to anchor immediately, emphasizing that the situation of refugees was critical.
WILL NOT TAKE THE COMMITTED 3500 REFUGEES FROM ITALY
The French government announced yesterday that it has allowed the ship to dock at the port in the city of Toulon. The French Ministry of Interior also sent a helicopter before docking, transporting 3 people in critical condition to French hospitals. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that “France is deeply saddened by Italy’s decision not to see itself as a responsible European state” and stated that Italy’s decision will have ‘serious consequences’. France stressed that it has abandoned its plan to take 3500 refugees from Italy, which it had previously accepted, and will strengthen controls on the Italian border. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that they hosted approximately 90 thousand refugees this year and said that Italy hosted more refugees than its share.
SOS Mediterranee said yesterday, “A safe place to anchor the Ocean Viking has finally been determined… The survivors will land in Toulon, in the south of France. Ocean Viking is on its way and according to the unstable weather forecast, our ship expects to arrive in Toulon port on Friday. “We welcome this news with a mixture of relief and anger.”
FAILURE OF EUROPEAN STATES
SOS Mediterranee Operations Director Xavier Lauth stated that during this 3-week period, the ship crew suffered as much as the refugees. It is the result of a dramatic failure of all European states that (DHA)