Mediterranean: MSF rescue ship Aquarius forced to terminate operations

The forced end to the Aquarius’ operations happens at a critical time: an estimated 2,133 people have died in the Mediterranean in 2018, with departures from Libya accounting for the overwhelming majority of deaths. European member states have fueled the suffering by enabling the Libyan coastguard to intercept more than 14,000 people at sea this year and to forcibly return them to Libya, where they could face arbitrary detention, violence, and unsafe conditions. This is in clear violation of international law. This is happening despite the fact that Europe made a commitment in 2015 to the United Nations Security Council that nobody rescued at sea would be forced to return to Libya.

“Today, Europe is directly supporting forced returns while claiming successes on migration,” said Karline Kleijer, MSF’s head of emergencies. “Let's be clear about what that success means: a lack of lifesaving assistance at sea; children, women, and men pushed back to arbitrary detention with virtually no hope of escape; and the creation of a climate that discourages all ships at sea from carrying out their obligations to rescue those in distress.”

Since the start of its search and rescue program in February 2016, the Aquarius has assisted nearly 30,000 people in international waters between Libya, Italy, and Malta. The Aquarius’ last active period of search and rescue ended on October 4, 2018, when it arrived in the port of Marseille following the rescue of 58 people. Together with MSF’s previous search and rescue vessels—the Bourbon Argos, Dignity, Prudence, and Phoenix—MSF has rescued or assisted more than 80,000 people in the Mediterranean Sea since 2015.

“As long as people are drowning and trapped in Libya, MSF remains committed to finding ways to provide them with medical and humanitarian care,” Kleijer said.