Dear friends of Sea-Eye,
There is reason to celebrate - and with a good reason: we have won in court against Italy! A judge ruled on Wednesday: The 60-day detention of the SEA-EYE 4 was unlawful. This judgement clearly shows that the detention of civilian rescue ships is an abuse of state powers by Italy. Just a few days before the European elections, this major victory is highly symbolic against Meloni and her far-right allies who want to criminalise sea rescue: Civil sea rescue wins - the right-wing loses!
A review: In March 2024, the SEA-EYE 4 rescued a total of 84 people from distress at sea - the so-called Libyan coast guard came along and, according to eyewitnesses, pointed their weapons at our crew. We remained professional and brought everyone safely ashore.Then came the blow: our rescue ship was detained for 60 days by the Italian authorities - the longest administrative detention ever imposed on a sea rescue ship under the so-called Piantedosi Decree. 60 days in harbour for an unjustified accusation based on a single email from the so-called Libyan coastguard sent via a Gmail address. A bitter setback for us - but also a clear mandate to take public action against this criminalisation. The judge has now made a detailed and very clear decision: The allegations of the Italian authorities are ‘not proven’.The detention was unlawful!
One thing is clear: we won't get back the 60 days we lost detained in the harbour without being able to rescue anyone. And yet: we will take a lot with us from this time. A huge wave of solidarity that spread after the detention. Countless people who campaigned to get the SEA-EYE 4 released - with a petition, demonstrations, on social media and even in court. And rightly so! The current judgement is an important safeguard for us that the SEA-EYE 4 cannot be confiscated during the next mission. Because without our lawsuit, the Piantedosi Decree would have threatened this as the next stage of escalation. And it is a new, strong tailwind to continue united and motivated. The next mission is not even over yet, and the new one is already waiting in the wings. Now more than ever!
We're staying alert: the European elections are on Sunday - for Europe's ultra-right, sea rescue has always been a favourite target of their politics and they will try to find majorities against it in Europe. This means that we must not ease up in our commitment against the right! But the decision from Reggio Calabria also shows that it is always worth fighting for the rule of law - and against those who want to criminalise us. It is worth fighting these battles everywhere - and winning them with much cheering!
Motivated greetings
Anna di Bari
- Board member of Sea-Eye e. V.