MSF reinforces its search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean

New MSF report denounces violence and obstruction of lifesaving response in the Central Mediterranean

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Rome, 12 June 2025 – The orchestrated removal of search and rescue (SAR) ships, such as the Geo Barents, from the Central Mediterranean cuts a lifeline for survivors fleeing horrendous violence in Libya. This is the conclusion of an advocacy report released today by the international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). … Read more

Detention on MSF rescue ship is suspended by Italian court

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Rome, Italy – On 11 September, the Italian Civil Court of Salerno ordered the suspension of the 60-day administrative detention of the Geo Barents, the search and rescue ship operated by Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The Italian authorities had imposed the detention in question on the Geo Barents on 26 August for allegedly failing … Read more

Charges against rescues at sea dropped. Saving lives is not a crime.

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Seven years of falsehoods swept away, but attacks continue. Saving lives is not a crime. Rome, April 19, 2024 – After seven years of false accusations, defamatory statements, and a blatant criminalisation campaign towards organisations performing search and rescue operations at sea, the investigation launched by the prosecutor’s office in Trapani, Sicily in late 2016 … Read more

New decree obstructs lifesaving rescue efforts at sea and will cause more deaths

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We, civil organisations engaged in search and rescue (SAR) activities in the central Mediterranean Sea, express our gravest concerns regarding the latest attempt by a European government to obstruct assistance to people in distress at sea. A new law decree, signed by the Italian President on 2 January 2023, will reduce rescue capacities at sea … Read more