Dear friends of Sea-Eye,
after a dramatic rescue operation, the SEA-EYE 4 arrived in the port of Vibo Valentia on Sunday evening with 48 survivors and four dead on board. The rescue operation had been disrupted by the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. Now the SEA-EYE 4 has been detained again and fined. That's why we need your support now!
It is the third detention this year for the SEA-EYE 4. Once again Italy forces us to 20 days of inactivity, once again we have to pay a fine of 3,000 euros. This time we are accused of not following the instructions of the extremely aggressive so-called Libyan coastguard. Under threat of violence, the so-called coast guard had ordered the SEA-EYE 4 to leave the area of operation in international waters, where a rubber boat was in distress.
Subsequently, the so-called Libyan coast guard was harrassing the rubber boat with around 50 people to such an extent that people panicked and fell into the water. In addition, four people could only be recovered dead from the rubber boat. If the SEA-EYE 4 had not stayed on site, even more people would have died!
The fact that we are being detained for this is not only an unbelievable injustice, but also a financial burden for us. That's why I'm asking for your support again today: help us with a donation to make up for the financial shortfall caused by the detention and the fine and make our next missions possible!
The sanctions imposed by Italy are legally untenable. They have no basis in international law and violates the rights of the Federal Republic of Germany as the flag state of SEA-EYE 4, as confirmed by Prof Dr Valentin Schatz, professor of law at the University of Lüneburg. You can find his full legal assessment on our website.
We will take legal action against this injustice: because Italy intentionally condemns us to inaction while people are dying. And because it is once again inflicting financial damage on Sea-Eye through fines and detention costs. We are incredibly grateful for every donation that helps us to cover the extra costs!
Yours
Anna Paulitsch
- Head of Fundraising of Sea-Eye e. V.
PS: You can also help us by telling people about Sea-Eye. Talk to your friends and family, follow us on social media and share our content!