Four Maltese NGOs have condemned Malta’s involvement in coordinating pushbacks to Libya, according to MaltaToday newspaper.
The Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, aditus Foundation, Moviment Graffitti and SAR (Search and Rescue) Malta Network, demanded Malta stop carrying out pushbacks to Libya by proxy while ending all logistical cooperation with a Libyan militia engaged in trafficking and human rights violations.
A joint investigation by MaltaToday and its media partners revealed that a Libyan militia has been carrying out ‘pushbacks’ to Libya from within the Maltese search and rescue zone. On at least one occasion, the Maltese army provided migrant coordinates to the militia.
The groups are also demanding that Malta stops hosting Frontex operations at Malta International Airport, as this facilitates the interception and forced return to Libya of people in distress within Malta’s search and rescue zone.
They added that Malta must rescue people in distress in Malta’s search and rescue zone and process their claims for asylum without delay, in line with Malta’s responsibilities under international law.
On Wednesday, the NGO, SOS Mediterranee announced that its vessel, the “Ocean Viking,” rescued 26 migrants, including two minors off the Libyan coast.
The humanitarian organisation shared images showing the migrants crowded on a small fiberglass boat, as it sailed in international waters.
However, it stated that the boat was rescued in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. The destination of the 26 rescued migrants remains unknown.
SOS Mediterranee has saved more than 39,000 people in the Mediterranean since 2016, especially in the central region, which represents the most dangerous migration route in the world.
Since January 2nd, 210 migrants were reported missing attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Notably, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a renowned humanitarian organisation, revealed alarming statistics regarding the plight of migrants in Libya. According to their latest report, a staggering 61% of migrants under their care have experienced torture in Libya, with 20% of these individuals also suffering from sexual abuse.