Mediterranea Saving Humans

Mediterranea Saving Humans was born as an activist project in 2018, originally called Operation Mediterranean.{{Cite web |last=Hardt |first=Michael |last2=Mezzadra |first2=Sandro |date=9 October 2018 |title=We’ve launched a migrant rescue ship to resist the racist right in Italy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/09/migrant-rescue-ship-racist-politics-italy-us |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=The Guardian}} The platform was launched by activists Luca Casarini, Beppe Caccia, Alessandro Metz, with the first financial contributions from the philosopher Michael Hardt, financial broker and writer Guido Maria Brera, Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana (ARCI), and the Italian political party Sinistra Italiana.{{Cite book |last=Casarini |first=Luca |title=La cospirazione del bene |publisher=Feltrinelli |year=2024 |isbn=9788807174896 |location=Italy |pages=60-70}} Mare Jonio is the first rescue ship in the Mediterranean to fly an Italian flag and cannot legally be refused entry to an Italian port.{{Cite news |last=Hardt |first=Michael |last2=Mezzadra |first2=Sandro |date=2018-10-09 |title=We’ve launched a migrant rescue ship to resist the racist right in Italy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/09/migrant-rescue-ship-racist-politics-italy-us |access-date=2024-12-31 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The Mediterranea project was not born as a humanitarian project, but a political project to challenge anti-migrant policies and the aggressive racism in Italy, Europe and beyond.{{Cite news |last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |date=2018-10-04 |title=Italian-flagged migrant rescue boat defies anti immigration minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/04/italian-flagged-migrant-rescue-boat-mare-jonio-sets-sail-in-challenge-to-far-right-minister-matteo-salvini |access-date=2024-12-31 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

On 9 May 2019, the Mare Jonio and the Italian Coast Guard saved almost 66 people near the Libyan coast. Their boat had capsized in the sea and the Mare Jonio ship welcomed 30 people on board. The minister of the interior announced that neither ship had the permission to make the people land, but later they were authorized.{{cite news|date=10 May 2019|title=Flüchtlinge gerettet – Salvini verärgert |trans-title=Refugees rescued - Salvini shocked |language=de|website=Tagesschau (German TV series)|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/fluechtlinge-italien-143.html|url-status=live|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510234900/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/fluechtlinge-italien-143.html|archive-date=10 May 2019}} The ship headed north, where it encountered the Italian authorities and was taken to Lampedusa. By order of the Internal ministry, on the night of the 10th the ship was seized and the crew were accused of aiding and abetting illegal immigration.{{cite web

|url = http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2019/05/09/migranti-soccorso-marina-militare-a-largo-libia.-salvini-non-do-porti_94954fa7-dace-40b2-bda9-d485d33973dd.html

|title = Nuova strage di migranti. Sequestrata la Mare Jonio. Sarebbero partiti dalla Libia, 16 i sopravvissuti

|trans-title=New massacre of migrants. Mare Jonio Seized. 16 survivors would have left Libya

|website = ANSA

|date = 11 May 2019

|access-date = 11 May 2019

}}{{Cite web|date=10 May 2019|title=NGO-run ship Mare Jonio seized after migrant rescue – English|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/05/10/ngo-run-ship-mare-jonio-seized-after-migrant-rescue_d253f513-ae6a-4f6b-9129-222f0904f833.html|access-date=9 December 2020|website=ANSA.it|language=en}} The activists claimed they were undertaking research, and protested against a seizure.{{cite news

|url = https://www.lastampa.it/2019/05/10/italia/la-nave-mare-jonio-far-sbarcare-i-migranti-a-lampedusa-1qc3Qoo4hBn27ls7RwKiCM/pagina.html

|author = Fabio Albanese

|title = Le due navi che hanno salvato i migranti sono arrivate in Italia. La Mare Jonio sequestrata

|trans-title=The two ships that rescued the migrants arrived in Italy. The Mare Jonio seized

|journal = La Stampa

|date = 10 May 2019

|access-date = 11 May 2019

}} On 13 May the Attorney general of Agrigento rejected the preventive seizure for lack of evidence.{{cite news|date=13 May 2019|title=Non convalidato il sequestro preventivo della nave Mare Jonio |trans-title=The preventive seizure of the Mare Jonio ship has not been validated |journal=Lettera43|url=https://www.lettera43.it/it/articoli/cronaca/2019/05/13/mare-jonio-sequestro/232025/|access-date=19 May 2019}}

On 5 July 2019, the ship Alex, a yacht with a sail which had initially just been tasked with accompanying the Mare Jonio, reached the waters off the coast of Lampedusa with fifty four people on board, picked up the previous day.{{cite news

|url = https://www.stol.it/Artikel/Politik-im-Ueberblick/Politik/NGO-Schiff-rettet-54-Migranten-in-libyschen-Gewaessern

|title = NGO-Schiff rettet 54 Migranten in libyschen Gewässern (ONG-Schiff salva 54 migranti nelle acque libiche) |trans-title=NGO ship saves 54 migrants in Libyan waters

|journal = Stol.it Nachrichten für Südtirol

|date = 5 July 2019

|access-date = 5 July 2019

|language = de

}} As had happened previously with Sea-Watch 3, the authorities initially refused the request to enter.{{cite news

|url = https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article196391825/Alan-Kurdi-rettet-65-Migranten-vor-der-libyschen-Kueste.html

|title = Deutsches Rettungsschiff "Alan Kurdi" nimmt 65 Migranten an Bord (La nave di soccorso tedesca "Alan Kurdi" prende a bordo 65 migranti) |trans-title=German rescue ship "Alan Kurdi" takes 65 migrants on board

|journal = Die Welt

|date = 5 July 2019

|access-date = 5 July 2019

|language = de

}} The Italian government refused to accept people in Lampedusa and referenced Malta, some 100 km away, as an alternative. The spokesperson for the organisation, Alessandra Sciurba, declared the journey to be too long and impossible for the passengers on 6 July 2019.{{cite news|date=5 July 2019 |title=Alex, Lampedusa porto chiuso. Il Viminale incastra così la Ong: "Vi aiutiamo, a una condizione" |trans-title=Alex, Lampedusa port closed. The Viminale blocks the NGO thus: "We will help you, on one condition" |journal=Libero|url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/italia/13480864/alex-viminale-matteo-salvini-italia-aiuti-mediterranea-condizione-migranti-verso-malta-la-valletta.html|access-date=15 July 2019}}{{cite news|author=Marco Mensurati|author2=Alessandra Ziniti|date=6 July 2019|title=La nave Alex attraccata a Lampusa, migranti a terra nella notte. La Finanza sequestra la nave |trans-title=The ship Alex docked in Lampusa, migrants ashore in the night. Finance seizes the ship |journal=la Repubblica|url=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2019/07/06/news/sbarchi_mediterranea_ferma_a_lampedusa_con_46_migranti-230508451/|access-date=15 July 2019}}{{cite web

|url = https://mediterranearescue.org/en/news-en/mediterranea-on-alex-case-in-these-conditions-sailing-to-malta-would-seriously-endanger-health-and-safety-of-people-on-board-lampedusa-is-the-only-possible-place-of-safety/

|title = Mediterranea on Alex case: "in these conditions sailing to Malta would seriously endanger health and safety of people on board. Lampedusa is the only possible place of safety."

|website = Mediterranea

|date = 6 July 2019

|access-date = 15 July 2019

}} In the afternoon of 6 July 2019, the captain Tommaso Stella entered the port of Lampedusa without permission.{{cite news|date=6 July 2019|title=Trotz Salvini-Verbot: Italienisches Rettungsschiff setzt Kurs auf Lampedusa (Nonostante il divieto di Salvini: la nave di soccorso italiana fa rotta per Lampedusa) |trans-title=Despite Salvini ban: Italian rescue ship sets course for Lampedusa |language=de|journal=FOCUS Online|url=https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/fast-60-menschen-an-bord-nonostante-salvini-divieto-italiano-salvataggio-nave-imposta-rotta-su-lampedusa_id_10903086.html|access-date=15 July 2019}}{{cite news

|url = https://www.zdf.de/uri/07912b45-517b-4ccc-9049-f921951fcdd9

|title = Rettungsschiff trotzt Salvini. "Alex" auf Lampedusa angekommen (La nave di soccorso sfida Salvini. "Alex" sulla strada per Lampedusa)

|trans-title=Rescue ship defies Salvini. "Alex" arrived on Lampedusa

|website = ZDF

|date = 6 July 2019

|access-date = 15 July 2019

|language = de

}}{{cite news

|url = https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/ausland/europa/skipper-tommy-ist-die-italienische-antwort-auf-carola-rackete/story/21578031

|author = Oliver Meiler

|title = Skipper "Tommy", die italienische Antwort auf Carola Rackete (Skipper "Tommy", la risposta italiana a Carola Rackete)

|trans-title=Skipper "Tommy", the Italian answer to Carola Rackete

|journal = Tages-Anzeiger

|date = 7 July 2019

|access-date = 15 July 2019

|language = de

}} The ship was overloaded more than three times the amount agreed upon by the eleven members of the crew. From a maritime point of view, therefore, refusal was not an option.

On 28 August the rescue ship Mare Jonio saved approximately 100 people from a refugee ship that was sinking. According to the survivors, 6 people, including children, had previously drowned.{{cite news

|url = https://www.news24.com/news24/world/news/migrants-babies-rescued-at-sea-as-survivors-say-six-drowned-20190828

|trans-title=Migrants, babies rescued at sea as survivors say six drowned |title = Migranti, i bambini salvati in mare mentre i sopravvissuti dicono che sei annegati

|journal = News24

|date = 30 August 2019

|access-date = 31 August 2019

|language = en

}} The Italian coast guard brought children and women on land in Lampedusa. Mare Jonio was forbidden from allowing the remaining 34 rescued people to reach land in an Italian port because the operators would have not respected the laws and caused an emergency situation.{{cite news

|url = https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/italy-disembarks-some-migrants-from-rescue-ship-mare-jonio-but-won-t-lift-ban-11857592

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190831174719/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/italy-disembarks-some-migrants-from-rescue-ship-mare-jonio-but-won-t-lift-ban-11857592

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 31 August 2019

|trans-title = Italy disembarks some migrants from rescue ship Mare Jonio but won't lift ban

|title = L'Italia sbarca alcuni migranti dalla nave di salvataggio Mare Jonio ma non revoca il divieto

|journal = CNA

|date = 30 August 2019

|access-date = 31 August 2019

|language = en

}} The authorisation to land «for health reasons» came from the captaincy of the port on 2 September, following a storm and a hunger strike that the migrants had started.{{cite news

|url = https://www.dire.it/02-09-2019/363698-mare-jonio-ancora-in-mare-scendono-in-tre-per-le-condizioni-di-salute-una-donna-evacuata-in-barella/

|author = Antonella Salini

|title = Mare Jonio, finisce l'incubo: "La Guardia costiera ci fa sbarcare per motivi sanitari"

|trans-title=Mare Jonio, the nightmare ends: "The Coast Guard makes us disembark for health reasons"

|website = Agenzia DIRE

|date = 2 September 2019

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}}{{cite news

|url = https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/mare-jonio-trasbordo-per-tre-malati-gravi

|author = Nello Scavo

|title = Nave Mare Jonio. Sciopero della fame e della sete. Inviato report sanitario in Procura

|trans-title= Ship Mare Jonio. Strike of hunger and thirst. Health report sent to the Public Prosecutor's Office

|website = Avvenire

|date = 2 September 2019

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}} The ship was subsequently confiscated until February 2020, when the jury accepted Mediterranea's appeal, immediately releasing the ship from seizure.{{cite news

|url = https://www.dire.it/04-02-2020/417692-mediterranea-esulta-tribunale-ordina-il-dissequestro-della-nave-mare-jonio/

|title = Mediterranea esulta: "Tribunale ordina il dissequestro della nave Mare Jonio"

|trans-title= Mediterranea rejoices: "Court orders the release from seizure of the Mare Jonio ship"

|date = 4 February 2020

|website = Agenzia DIRE

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}}

Halfway through March 2020 the organisation announced that its two ships, Mare Jonio and Alex would suspend their navigation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|author=Alessandra Benignetti |date=18 March 2020 |title= Migranti, Ong annunciano stop alle missioni: "Ce lo impone la pandemia" |trans-title= Migrants, NGOs announce stop to missions: "The pandemic forces it to us" |journal=Il Journal |url=https://www.iljournal.it/news/cronache/migranti-ong-annunciano-stop-missioni-ce-impone-pandemia-1842829.html|access-date=19 March 2020}} Navigation resumed in the month of June.{{cite news

|url = https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/tornano-mare-navi-ong-sbarchi-aumento-gia-ad-aprile-e-maggio-ADw8xQX?refresh_ce=1

|author = Andrea Gagliardi

|title = Tornano in mare le navi delle Ong, sbarchi in aumento già ad aprile e maggio. La Mare Jonio e la Sea Watch 3 si trovano nell'area di ricerca e soccorso davanti alla Libia. A maggio e aprile sbarchi raddoppiati rispetto allo stesso mese del 2019

|trans-title= The ships of the NGOs return to sea, landings increasing already in April and May. The Mare Jonio and the Sea-Watch 3 are located in the search and rescue area in front of Libya. In May and April landings doubled compared to the same month in 2019

|journal = Il Sole 24 Ore

|date = 12 June 2020

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}} On the 19th there was the recovery of sixty people, who were able to land at Pozzallo without facing particular obstacles.{{cite news

|url = https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2020/06/20/news/migranti-a-pozzallo-i-67-salvati-dalla-mare-jonio-1.38989928

|author = Fabio Albanese

|title = Migranti, a Pozzallo i 67 salvati dalla Mare Jonio. Resta senza "porto sicuro" la Sea Watch 3 che naviga al largo della Sicilia

|trans-title= Migrants, in Pozzallo the 67 saved from the Ionian Sea. The Sea Watch 3 that sails off the coast of Sicily remains without a "safe haven"

|journal = La Stampa

|date = 20 June 2020

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}} On the 29th another forty-three people were rescued, and in subsequent days reached the shores of Augusta, Sicily.{{cite news

|url = http://www.vita.it/it/article/2020/06/29/mediterranea-salva-43-naufraghi-ma-il-bimbo-nato-nel-naufragio-e-ancor/156033/

|author = Alessandro Puglia

|title = Mediterranea salva 43 naufraghi, ma il bimbo nato nel naufragio è ancora in Libia

|trans-title= Mediterranea saves 43 shipwrecked, but the child born in the shipwreck is still in Libya

|journal = Vita

|date = 29 June 2020

|access-date = 22 July 2020

}} Since some of them had resulted positive for the Covid-19 virus, the crew observed the mandatory quarantine, which ended without repercussions on 15 July .{{cite news|author=Patrizia Caiffa|date=15 July 2020|title=Migranti: Mediterranea, conclusa la quarantena della nave Mare Jonio. "Pandemia non sia scusa per non soccorrere" |trans-title=Migrants: Mediterranea, the quarantine of the Mare Jonio ship concluded. "Pandemic is no excuse not to help" |website=AgenSIR |url=https://www.agensir.it/quotidiano/2020/7/15/migranti-mediterranea-conclusa-la-quarantena-della-nave-mare-jonio-pandemia-non-sia-scusa-per-non-soccorrere/|access-date=22 July 2020}}

On 11 September 2020, 27 migrants who had been on board the Maersk Etienne since 5 August after being rescued in international waters were transferred to the Mare Jonio and brought to shore. {{Cite web |date=2020-09-11 |title=Migranti, da 38 giorni in mare in attesa di un porto sicuro: i 27 della Etienne salgono sulla Mare Jonio |url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2020/09/11/news/migranti-da-38-giorni-in-mare-attesa-di-un-porto-sicuro-i-27-della-etienne-salgono-sulla-mare-jonio-1.39294622/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=La Stampa |language=it}}

Mare Jonio rescued 56 people on its 16th operation. Whilst assisting a vessel in distress, distributing life vests to people on a ship the Mare Jonio was threatened by the Libyan 'coastguard'.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Mare Jonio: “Piantedosi ha mentito al Senato: i libici hanno sparato a sangue freddo. Ecco il video che lo sbugiarda”. Il Viminale replica: “La Ong ha incitato i migranti a buttarsi a mare” |url=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2024/04/12/news/mare_jonio_piantedosi_video_libia_smentito-422471241/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=NGO Mediterranea files report against Libyan coast guard |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/58561/ngo-mediterranea-files-report-against-libyan-coast-guard |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=InfoMigrants |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mediterranea Saving Humans |date=April 2024 |title=Medreport April 2024 |url=https://mediterranearescue.org/media/pages/medreport/58ce186bee-1721827567/medreport-2024-04-eng-a1.pdf |access-date=31 December 2024}}

182 people were saved on Mare Jonio's 18th operation. A sailing ship belonging to Fondazione Migrantes of the Italian Episcopal Conference supported this operation with a sailing ship carrying additional volunteers, medical staff, a cultural mediator and journalists.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-24 |title=Pope voices support for first migrant rescue mission organized by Italian Bishops - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-08/mediterranea-saving-humans-rescue-mission-italian-bishops.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Westerby |first=Rachel |date=2024-10-07 |title=ICMC Member in Italy Accompanies Search and Rescue Mission in the Central Mediterranean |url=https://www.icmc.net/2024/10/08/icmc-member-in-italy-accompanies-search-and-rescue-mission-in-the-central-mediterranean/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) |language=en-US}}

58 people saved after tip-off from Alarm Phone from ship that had departed from Libya.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=Dramatic rescue in the Mediterranean: 58 lives saved - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-10/dramatic-rescue-in-mediterranean-58-migrants-critial-condition.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en}}

Mediterranea is supported with contributions and support from associations like ARCI and Ya Basta Bologna, NGOs like Sea-Watch, social enterprises and individuals. The project was made possible with a loan from an Italian ethical bank, Banca Etica, and a crowdfunding campaign with over 3000 supporters which raised over 1 million euros.{{Cite web|title=Mediterranea Saving Humans|url=http://sostieni.link/19762|access-date=5 January 2021|website=Produzioni dal Basso|language=en}} When Mare Jonio was stopped and fined in May 2019, in less than 2 days they received the 65,000 euros needed to pay the fine through crowdfunding.{{Cite web|date=10 July 2019|title=Mediterranea: i sostenitori pagano la multa. Il crowdfunding continua per tornare in mare |trans-title=Mediterranea: supporters pay the fine. Crowdfunding continues to return to the sea |url=https://www.dinamopress.it/news/mediterranea-i-sostenitori-pagano-la-multa-il-crowdfunding-continua-per-tornare-in-mare/|access-date=5 January 2021|website=DINAMOpress|language=it-IT}}

Pope Francis has publicly expressed support for the work of Mediterranea and their rescue mission. In December 2019 he received a cross with the life jacket that had been found floating in the sea. He had it placed at one of the entrances to the Apostolic Palace and wrote "I have decided to display this life-vest, 'crucified' on this cross, to remind us to keep our eyes open, to keep our hearts open, to remind everyone of the obligatory duty to save each human life. It is a moral responsibility that unites believers and non-believers."{{Cite web|title=Pope to NGOs helping refugees at sea: "I am always available. Count on me" {{!}} ROME REPORTS|url=https://www.romereports.com/2020/04/14/pope-to-ngos-helping-refugees-at-sea-i-am-always-available-count-on-me|access-date=5 January 2021|website=www.romereports.com|language=en}} In August 2024, a sailing ship belonging to Fondazione Migrantes of the Episcopal Conference of Italy sailed alongside the Mare Jonio, carrying additional. volunteers, medical staff, a cultural mediator and journalists.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-24 |title=Pope voices support for first migrant rescue mission organized by Italian Bishops - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-08/mediterranea-saving-humans-rescue-mission-italian-bishops.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en}}

In May 2021 Mediterranea was awarded the Danish Shipping prize together with the Danish Maersk Etienne saving 27refugees off Tunisia whose ship had been taking on water. The Maersk Etienne crew took the refugees on board but they were not allowed to disembark in Malta as the Maltese authorities said that the rescue did not happen in its territorial waters. On 11 September, after 38 days on board, the refugees were transferred to Mediterranea's Mare Jonio vessel, and subsequently permitted to land.{{Cite web |last=Lin (m_lin)|first=Max Tingyao |date=2021-05-27 |title=Maersk Etienne crew wins Danish Shipping prize for saving Libyan migrants {{!}} TradeWinds |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/maersk-etienne-crew-wins-danish-shipping-prize-for-saving-libyan-migrants/2-1-1017154 |access-date=2021-05-28 |website=TradeWinds {{!}} Latest shipping and maritime news |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-27 |title=Gli armatori danesi premiano Mediterranea per il soccorso finito sotto inchiesta |trans-title=Danish shipowners recognise Mediterranea for rescue that is under investigation |url=https://ilmanifesto.it/gli-armatori-danesi-premiano-mediterranea-per-il-soccorso-finito-sotto-inchiesta/|access-date=2021-05-28 |website=il manifesto |language=it-IT}}

On 19 July 2022, the Italian rapper Ghali donated a RHIB (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat) to Mediterranea which he named Bayna, which means 'it is clear' in Arabic.{{Cite news |last=Malek |first=Alia |date=5 August 2023 |title=Can a rapper change Italy's attitude to migrants? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/magazine/ghali-italy-migrants.html |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=New York Times}} He announced this on Instagram with a post saying: "I bought myself a boat".{{Cite web |date=2022-07-20 |title=Musica. Ghali compra una barca e la dona a Mediterranea per salvare i profughi in mare |url=https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/ghali-compra-una-barca-la-chiama-come-una-sua-canzone-e-la-dona-a-mediterranea-per-salvare-i-migranti |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=www.avvenire.it |language=it}}

• Hellenic Rescue Team
• Iuventa
• Migrant Offshore Aid Station
• No Border network
• Proactiva Open Arms
• Sea Watch
• SOS Méditerranée

• [https://mediterranearescue.org/en/ Mediterranea Saving Humans website]
• [https://alarmphone.org/en/ Alarmphone]

Category:Sea rescue organizations

Category:European migrant crisis

Category:Immigrant rights activism

Category:Humanitarian aid organizations in Europe

Category:Refugee aid organizations in Europe