Migrants divert tanker to Malta, refusing to be disembarked in Libya

(B2) In fear of being taken back to Libya, migrants and/or asylum seekers trying to cross to Europe on Wednesday (27 March) inaugurated a new mode of action: the rerouting of a ship

The tanker, its crew and all escorted migrants were due to arrive this morning at Boiler Wharf in Malta.

According to information confirmed by the Maltese authorities, the captain of the tanker El Hiblu 1 (or El Hibru), , flying the flag of Palau, which had collected a hundred migrants, in difficulty at sea, was forced to head for Malta, and not for Libya, where it had planned to disembark these 108 men and women. " The captain has repeatedly said he has no control of the ship and that a number of migrants are forcing him and his crew to Malta “Said the Maltese forces (AFM) in a press release sent to B2 this morning. AFMs” managed to establish communications with the ship, when it was about 30 nautical miles away and still headed for Malta.

Escort by patrol vessel

A patrol vessel, the P21, then " prevented the tanker from entering Maltese territorial waters ". A team from the AFM Special Operations Unit was deployed to board and secure the ship » and resume « ship control ". The team was supported by a second patrol vessel, the P51, two Fast Interceptors and one of the Maltese forces' AW 139 helicopters. " The P21 continued to escort and monitor the tanker throughout the operation. »

An ongoing investigation

On their arrival this morning (around 8:30 a.m.), the passengers (migrants) had to be "turned over to the police for further investigation". This includes determining whether it is an act of piracy. That is to say — according to the international definition — if a "unlawful act of violence or detention or any depredation" was committed by the 'passengers', "acting for private purposes ", directed against " another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board them, on the high seas” (1)

An act of self-defense

For the NGO Sea-Watch, active in the Mediterranean, it is necessary to examine their case " with a human eye. We understand that this is not a case of piracy, but self-defense against a murderous policy on European borders ».

The rescued people who took over a merchant vessel after they realized they were being pulled back to Libya, were brought to Malta this morning.
We look at this with an eye of humanity, understanding this not as piracy but as self-defense against a deadly European border policy pic.twitter.com/pyMJkCJB1K

- Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) March 28, 2019

(NGV)

(1) Article 101 of the Law of the Sea Convention of 10 December 1982.