Duty to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean, says charity

Rome, Nov 27 :   It is a moral obligation to save migrants in the Mediterranean rather than returning them to Libya, international charity Sos Mediterranee's co-founder and Vice President Sophie Beau said on Monday.

"We cannot accept people dying at sea, or to see them sent back to Libya when their boats are intercepted by Libyan coastguard," she said 

"Despite the current, particularly difficult conditions at sea, our duty is to be there to rescue those who have fled from the horrors of Libya's camps, to protect them. We must keep bearing witness to accounts from these men, women and children who are in search of protection."

Sos Mediterranee also said that its ship Acquarius was allegedly ordered not to pick up migrants aboard two boats listing in rough seas off Tripoli on Friday during an operation by Libyan coastguard and a Libyan navy vessel to intercept the boats and return the migrants to Libya.

Acquarius was ordered to remain 'on stand-by' last week by Libyan authorities, who said their coastguard and navy would intercept two migrants boats in rough seas 25 miles northeast of Tripoli.

During the four hours Sos Mediterranee waited on stand-by, the weather conditions worsened, increasing the risk of a shipwreck, said Sos Mediterranee coordinator Nicola Stalla.

"We were ready to intervene at any moment with our rescue team and professional crew."

"This dramatic incident was very difficult for our team members, who were forced to look on helplessly," said Beau.

"They had to observe operations leading to the return to Libya of people who had fled from what survivors describe as true hell and which we have never ceased to condemn since we began our mission in the Mediterranean," she added.