Appeal to the Eurpean Civil Community

Elias Bierdel, Head of Cap Anamur (07/04/2004)

"Since early Thursday we have been drifting 15 miles off Empedocle. We are insisting on entering the port as was planned and originally permitted! Still the authorities have given us no explanation as to why the permit to enter Italian waters that had previously been granted was suddenly withdrawn.

The stand-off situation with the Italian armed forces is grotesque, and although we have so far not been physically attacked, is obviously designed to spread fear among crew and passengers. We protest against this kind of treatment.

The shipwrecked people we have on board are not "clandestini", as they haven't yet crossed the borders of the European Union. As requested, and in accordace with international rights laws and common sea-faring practice, we gave a list of all the people on board. One cannot call this an attempt at "illegal migration".

We also have no intention of confronting the Italian government or putting pressure on anyone. We are simply asking to be allowed to enter the port of Empedocle as the situation on board becomes more and more tense. However, those who hinder us from bringing shipwrecked men to a safe port must take the full responsibility for their actions.

We will not accept being diverted to another port. We have 37 shipwrecked people on board and are therefore not in a position to play games with the authorites.

We think that a solution must be worked out in accordance with International Human Rights laws and based on humanitarian principles. The question of how to deal with a situation like this must be solved on the political level of the European Union: It is this policy of the EU, executed forcibly by the Italian coast guard, navy and guardia difinanza, which prevents our rescue ship from aiding people in need.

We appeal to all citizens of Europe - and especially the Italian people - to show that this policy is not carried out in their name.

As an independent humanitarian organisation we will carry on saving as many lives as we can. We do so because we are not ready to accept that the deaths of hundreds, maybe thousands of innocent people in the Mediterranean sea has become a "normality" within the boundaries of the European Union.

We wish the mighty fleets of Italy, NATO and others would care about those who are just "disappearing" beneath the waves, nameless and uncounted. As the authorities and military fail to, or have no orders to do this, civil society must take things in hand.

We as an independent humanitarian organisation have to continue our rescue-operations because nobody else does. We therefore need the support of all good-willed people, no matter where their political or religious orientations may lie."

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