More than a dozen sea-rescue organisations join forces, cutting contact with Libyan Coast Guard

Over a dozen sea-rescue groups have united to create a new alliance called the Justice Fleet, aiming to protect migrants and uphold human rights while severing cooperation with the Libyan coast guard.

Condemnation of the Libyan Coast Guard

“While we are rescuing people from distress to bring them to a place of safety, the Italian state as well as the European Union are complicit in these crimes against humanity through funding, training and the transfer of equipment to Libyan militias such as the so-called Libyan Coast Guard,” said Sea-Watch spokesperson Giulia Messmer.

Messmer accused both the European Union and Italy of supporting actions that result in human rights violations, emphasizing that migrants taken by the Libyan Coast Guard are returned to unsafe conditions in Libya.

“Italy is forcing rescue assets to do so while knowing that the so-called Libyan Coast Guard never brings people to a place of safety, as required by international law, but to Libya, where they face torture, slavery, sexual abuse — as established even by the United Nations — knowing that the so-called Libyan Coast Guard is shooting people in distress.”

Formation of the “Justice Fleet”

According to Messmer, the Justice Fleet seeks to defend human rights, protect asylum seekers, and challenge abuses carried out by state actors and other groups at sea.

“We say enough is enough. This year, we search and rescue organizations are joining forces stronger than ever to defend human rights and maritime and international law.”

Key Objectives

Ensure safety and dignity for migrants at sea.
Hold European states accountable for complicity in abuses.
Promote adherence to international maritime law.

Author's summary: A coalition of more than twelve sea-rescue groups has formed the Justice Fleet to end cooperation with Libya’s coast guard and demand accountability for human rights violations at sea.

Africanews — 2025-11-06