Court blocks Italy’s efforts to hinder rescue ships amid E.U. migrant crackdown

The president of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Christos Christou, has accused Italy’s government of criminalizing humanitarian efforts aimed at rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean. His remarks follow the two-week detention of MSF’s rescue vessel, the Geo Barents, by Italian authorities, a situation that was temporarily resolved after an appeals court allowed the ship to return to the sea.

This ruling offers a rare moment of relief in the ongoing onslaught from the E.U. against vulnerable migrants, many of whom are victims of trafficking and forced labor, in dangerous conditions or return them to exploitation in Libya.

Humanitarian groups blocked in the Mediterranean

Italy’s actions are part of a broader strategy to obstruct rescues, as the government enforces laws that restrict search and rescue operations to a single rescue at a time. This approach, Christou argues, endangers lives by preventing NGOs from responding to multiple emergencies in quick succession.

The Geo Barents was detained after it responded to two separate distress calls on August 23, during which migrants were seen jumping into the sea without life vests.

KTEN news reports, 

Under Italy’s law, vessels operated by rescue charities are obliged to only perform one rescue at a time, a system the groups charge is inefficient and puts lives at risk.

Christou said that on August 23, having just completed a rescue and following instructions from Italian authorities to head to port, it witnessed another migrant boat in distress and went to help.

“People were jumping into the sea. They were there, helpless, without any life vests,” Christou said.

“We were trying to contact the Libyan coast guard again but there was no response. Looking at the people in the sea, in that moment the only thing you must do is to offer a hand and pull them out of the sea,” he said.

The E.U.’s pattern of obstacles

Since 2017, the E.U. has endorsed a controversial agreement between Italy and the Libyan authorities, under which Italy funds and trains the Libyan Coast Guard to intercept and return migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

Freedom United and other advocates have condemned this deal, citing widespread abuse, including trafficking, and torture of migrants sent back to Libya. Despite growing concerns over human rights violations, the E.U. has continued to support this initiative.

Christou highlighted a “pattern of obstacles” set by the Italian government. Rescue NGOs like MSF have frequently faced legal and operational barriers, including the seizure of rescue vessels under Italy’s decree-law from January 2023. While courts have overturned many of these detentions, the crackdown persists, reflecting a larger failure within the E.U. to address the migration and trafficking crisis with humane solutions.

What’s worse is that other countries may adopt these problematic policies fueling further trafficking risks for already vulnerable persons. During his visit to Rome, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “interested” in Italy’s arrangement with Libya as his government decides how to handle irregular migration.

The E.U. must act

The central Mediterranean remains the deadliest migration route, with over 2,500 deaths or disappearances reported last year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

These people require support, not to be made even more vulnerable to further abuses. Yet the E.U. continues to prop up this horrific system.

We cannot let them get away it. Ending Libya EU support is crucial to stopping the flow of vulnerable migrants into forced labor. At Freedom United, we’re calling on the EU to end its support for the Libyan Coast Guard.

Join us in demanding an end to this harmful agreement — sign our petition today and help us push for a future where human lives are valued over political convenience.