How 70 people were illegally abducted back to Libya

Sea Watch International has shared information about how 70 migrants heading to Europe were abducted to returned to Libya to face imprisonment, torture and death.

The information was contained in a report published on the organisation’s website.

The report is reproduced below unedited:

abd the abduction and return of migrants heading to

July 22, 2024 On Monday we again witnessed how around 70 people were illegally abducted back to Libya. Before that, a nearby merchant ship ignored our distress calls.

About 70 people were trying to flee Libya in the hope of reaching Europe. We knew their possible position and contacted the nearby merchant vessel MARIDIVE 703 to find out if the crew knew more about the boat’s whereabouts or possible Mayday relays. The answer was: “We have not heard any Mayday relays because we are always on channel 8, that is our working channel.”

However, every actor at sea must monitor emergency channel 16 and respond to distress calls in order to fulfil their duty to rescue any person in distress at sea.

After more than a day at sea and approaching bad weather, we finally found the boat, only about 10 (!) kilometers from the MARIDIVE 703. We sent several Mayday relays, but the crew of the merchant vessel ignored our distress calls from then until today.

Shortly afterwards, the so-called Libyan coast guard appeared and raced towards the boat in distress with one goal: to intercept it. Around 70 people are now back in Libya – they face prison, torture and death. To add to the brutality, the so-called Libyan coast guard dismantled the engine after bringing the people back to their boat – which was one of the many boats donated by Italy and the EU. The theft of the engine is a practice we see frequently and is part of the relentless cycle of exploitation of people on the run. People flee, are forced back, thrown into prison, buy their “freedom” and end up on the next boat with the same engine – and those responsible earn twice or three times as much from this inhumane practice.