After rescuing 22 people yesterday evening, our sailing boat Trotamar III was prohibited from leaving the port of Lampedusa. The crew is accused of not informing the so-called Libyan coast guard when they rescued the people from an unseaworthy boat.
Our skippers informed the maritime rescue coordination centres in Rome and Malta, but not the authorities in Tunis or Tripolis: This would not be a rescue, but a possible pullback and thus an aid to the violation of human rights. This is neither compatible with applicable law nor with our conscience.
We are now facing a possible detention for 10 to 20 days. We will take legal action against the detention of the TROTAMAR III and demand the implementation of the UN Convention on Human Rights: Libya and Tunisia are not a place of safety for refugees.
We demand the immediate release of our vessel! Every day that a sea rescue ship is detained increases the risk of more people drowning in the Mediterranean Sea.