- Title: German NGO Sea-Watch calls for more EU support in Mediterranean
- Date: 20th June 2017
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JUNE 20, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DOCTOR AND MEMBER OF SEA-WATCH MANAGING BOARD, FRANK DOERNER, SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCTOR AND MEMBER OF SEA-WATCH MANAGING BOARD, FRANK DOERNER, SAYING: "We see that for the moment there is a clear path towards criminalisation of flight, of the reasons why people are fleeing on the one hand, but also criminalisation of the NGOs who are trying to support and help. It goes as far as really saying that we are directly working together with the traffickers, that we are in collusion with this kind of inhumane trafficking business." AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) DOCTOR AND MEMBER OF SEA-WATCH MANAGING BOARD, FRANK DOERNER, SAYING: "We expect steps to be taken against the criminalisation of our activities, and a clear political statement that what is being done there by humanitarian non-governmental organisations is right, that we must support it for humanitarian reasons, because of Germany's responsibility for ensuring human rights are upheld. We are also calling for more support on a daily basis, for ships to be sent from the various EU member states." T-SHIRT WITH WRITING "MIGRATION IS NOT A CRIME" (SOUNDBITE) (German) DOCTOR AND MEMBER OF SEA-WATCH MANAGING BOARD, FRANK DOERNER, SAYING: "For us, the Libyan coastguard is a synonym for the problem. It is being sent in as a guarantee that as few boats as possible are able to leave Libyan waters. It is being armed and militarized and is not in a position to follow standards. Even after training we have seen many violations against our boats, against our personnel, and above all against the refugees. As a consequence people have died and been injured. We must say quite clearly: that is not acceptable." MAN WORKING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (English) ASYLUM AND MIGRATION RIGHTS EXPERT, VIOLETA MORENO-LAX, SAYING: "So anyone for example in a dinghy without an engine, or in a boat which is overcrowded without fuel, without provisions, should be understood to be in distress. And every boat, including Frontex boats or boats acting within a Frontex-coordinated mission, has an obligation to proceed to the rescue and provide assistance." SEE-WATCH POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) ASYLUM AND MIGRATION RIGHTS EXPERT, VIOLETA MORENO-LAX, SAYING: "You would have to have the tendence to interpret the law in light of human rights principles and refugee law principles. So instead of engaging in actions at the edge of the law, that might expose refugees and migrants to human rights violations, a better investment would be to adhere by the rules in good faith. So I would say that actually in this particular situation the NGOs are right to condemn the actions by the EU institutions and the member states, particularly in the Mediterranean."
- Embargoed: 4th July 2017 14:29
- Keywords: Sea-Watch migrants refugees Mediterranean rescue World Refugee Day
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016M30THJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: German NGO Sea-Watch on Tuesday (June 20) called for more support from the European Union for its work rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
Speaking on World Refugee Day, one of the organisation's managing board members called for EU member states to send a clear political signal that they supported the work of rescue organisations.
Frank Doerner also demanded more support in the form of rescue boats provided by member states. He said Sea-Watch has sent a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel asking for action to be taken against what it describes as a "criminalisation" of its activities.
Aid groups have come under fire from some EU officials, who say they are encouraging the flow of people across the Mediterranean and helping people-smugglers, even if unwittingly.
The sea crossing between Libya and Italy has been attempted by an increasing number of migrants trying to reach Europe this year. Arrivals of migrants to Italy are up almost 18 percent on the same period last year at more than 65,000, Italy's Interior Ministry said last week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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