Amnesty EU, MSF, Sea Watch, others celebrate Iuventa

Amnesty EU, MSF International, Sea Watch International  and other civil rescue organsation have expressed joy over the quashing of a seven-year case against  Iuventa crew.

Reacting to the dismissal of the case, Amnesty EU said: “Good news! We welcome the dismissal of the case against the #Iuventa crew and the crews of #MSF and Save the Children for the alleged facilitation of irregular migration.As we have said all along: saving lives is not a crime.”

Other organisations who rejoiced at the decision spoke thus:

Alarmphone: All charges against @IuventaCrew were dropped! Today we celebrate their freedom, knowing that this trial should have never taken place, & getting new energy to keep fighting the systematic criminalisation of anyone who defies borders, including boat drivers & other sea rescuers.

Sea Watch International: The @iuventacrew  is finally free. After 7 years, a trial that should never have begun comes to an end. The charges are dropped – an admission that the accusations were baseless. We celebrate with the @iuventacrew, but the fight is not over!

MSF International: After 7 years of fallacious accusations, the Tribunal of Trapani in Italy dismissed all the allegations against MSF and the other search and rescue NGOs falsely accused of aiding and abetting illegal immigration in the Mediterranean.

ECCHR: In 2017, the Iuventa was seized in Italy and investigations were launched against the crew, followed by a smear campaign criminalizing civil society efforts to provide humanitarian aid at sea. Today, after two years & over 40 hearings, the preliminary proceedings came to an end.