The Trotamar III is being prohibited from leaving the port of Lampedusa. We demand its immediate release!

After rescuing 18 people, whom we brought ashore on the Italian island on Wednesday, the authorities informed us that the Trotamar III has been detained. They are saying that our crew failed to communicate with the Tunisian coast guard.

In doing so, Italy is attempting to punish us for adhering to international law. Under this law, we are obligated both to notify a competent maritime rescue coordination center—which we did (Rome and Malta)—and to bring people to a port of safety. Tunisia cannot be considered a safe destination for people fleeing their homes for many reasons. Cooperating with the Tunisian coast guard or navy would mean organizing a pushback and violating the principle of non-refoulement.

This is not an attack on us, but on people fleeing their homes. It targets those who make the journey to Europe in the hope of a better and safer life, even after the EU has closed all safe and “regular” routes. As long as EU member states fail to fulfill their responsibility for sea rescue, civilian initiatives like ours are vital. That is why we demand: #FreeTrotamarIII !