Mission Lifeline
Mission Lifeline is an association from Dresden, founded in 2016, whose purpose is to rescue people at sea in the Mediterranean. The rescue ship Lifeline was initially used for this, and since the end of August 2019 the Mission Eleonore has been used. From October 2021, Mission Lifeline have operated the ship Rise Above.
Founding
The association was founded in May 2016 by {{ill|Axel Steier|de}} and other colleagues. According to its own information, it emerged from the Dresden-Balkan convoy, which in October 2015 collected donations in kind for the people on the Balkan route, and took them to Preševo (Serbia) in mid-November with small trucks, Here, they distributed them with the help of volunteers. Further aid convoys to Idomeni and the registration camp on the island of Chios followed. In addition to collecting donations in kind for the aid measures in Greece, an account was set up to allow financial donations.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnn.de/Dresden/Lokales/Dresden-Balkan-Konvoi-startet-zum-2.-Mal |title=Dresden-Balkan-Konvoi startet zum 2. Mal |trans-title=Dresden-Balkan convoy starts for the 2nd time |work=Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten |date=2015-11-27 |access-date=2018-06-28}}
With the closure of the Balkan route, the escape route across the Mediterranean Sea became increasingly used. "This is how MISSION LIFELINE e.V., which has been planning and preparing the deployment of a rescue ship in the central Mediterranean since April 2016, emerged from the Dresden-Balkan convoy."{{cite web |url=https://mission-lifeline.de/ |title=Geschichte. Wie alles begann |trans-title= |work=Mission Lifeline Search and Rescue |date= |access-date=2018-06-28 }}
In 2017, 200,000 euros in donations were raised to purchase the Sea-Watch 2 and the ship was put into operation as Lifeline.{{cite web |author=Markus Weinberg |url=http://www.mdr.de/sachsen/dresden/mission-lifeline-sticht-mit-eigenem-schiff-in-see100.html |title=Hilfe für Bootsflüchtlinge im Mittelmeer |trans-title= |website=Mdr.de |date=September 2017 |access-date=20 May 2021}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030128/http://www.mdr.de/sachsen/dresden/mission-lifeline-sticht-mit-eigenem-schiff-in-see100.html Archived at Wayback Machine]
After the Lifeline was confiscated in summer 2018,{{cite web |author=Archie Farquharson |url=http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/6930 |title=Migrant rescue ship Lifeline to dock in Malta |website=www.italianinsider.it |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=20 June 2021 |lang=}} the activists collected 475,000 euros in donations to buy a new ship by mid-October 2018, including funds from the Catholic Church (initiated by Archbishops Reinhard Marx and Hans-Josef Becker) and the music group Die Fantastischen Vier.{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article182267956/Seenotrettungsorganisation-Dank-Fanta-4-Mission-Lifeline-bekommt-ein-neues-Rettungsschiff.html |title="Dank Fanta 4 - „Mission Lifeline“ bekommt ein neues Rettungsschiff" |website=die Welt |date=17 October 2018 |access-date= |lang=de}}
Deployment
=''Lifeline''=
The mission in the Mediterranean began in September 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.fairquer.net/vorgestellt/kampagnen/ein-funken-hoffnung-seenotrettung-in-einer-der-t%C3%B6dlichsten-zonen-der-welt |title=Marie Naass und Rebecca Kupfner: "Ein Funken Hoffnung: Seenotrettung in einer der tödlichsten Zonen der Welt" |trans-title="Marie Naass and Rebecca Kupfner: "A spark of hope: rescue at sea in one of the deadliest zones in the world" " |date=15 November 2017 |website=fairquer.net |access-date= }} A rescue operation in June 2018 caused a sensation in which the Lifeline ship with 230 refugees on board had to wait six days before it was allowed to dock in Malta after it had previously been turned away in Italy.{{cite news |url=http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/deutsches-rettungsschiff-lifeline-legt-in-malta-an-15662140.html |title=Deutsches Rettungsschiff "Lifeline" legt in Malta an |trans-title=German rescue ship "Lifeline" docks in Malta |work=www.faz.net |date= |access-date=2018-06-28}}
=''Eleonore''=
At the end of October 2018, the group sent a 'sailing boat' with a crew of seven activists flying the German flag into the waters off the Libyan coast.{{cite web |url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/politik/ausland/mission-lifeline-wieder-unterwegs-100.html |title=Seenotrettung "Mission Lifeline" wieder im Mittelmeer unterwegs |trans-title=Sea rescue "Mission Lifeline" on the way again in the Mediterranean |website=MDR.de |date=26 October 2018 |access-date= }}
Benjamin Hartmann, owner of the statement fashion label HUMAN BLOOD, officially acted as the buyer for the purchase of the fishing boat Eleonore in May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.onetz.de/deutschland-welt/freudenberg/oberpfaelzer-kauft-schiff-fuer-seenotretter-mission-lifeline-id2826825.html |title=Oberpfälzer kauft Schiff für Seenotretter von "Mission Lifeline" |trans-title=Upper Palatinate buys ship for sea rescuers from "Mission Lifeline" |access-date=2020-04-01}} The subsequent conversion to a rescue ship was financed by the donor and Mission Lifeline.{{cite web |url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/oberpfaelzer-mode-unternehmer-sponsert-schiff-fuer-seenotrettung,RaFoptO |title="Oberpfälzer Mode-Unternehmer sponsert Schiff für Seenotrettung" |trans-title=Upper Palatinate fashion entrepreneur sponsors ship for sea rescue |website= |date=26 August 2019 |access-date= }} According to the association's founder, Axel Steier, it was necessary to use a 'straw man' because the authorities were unlikely to let him or his captain register a rescue ship.{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.blu.fm/gesellschaft/politik/benjamin-hartmann-human-blood-kauft-schiff-fuer-mission-lifeline/ |title=Christian Knuth: "Schwuler Modeunternehmer kauft Schiff für Seenotrettung im Mittelmeer" |trans-title=Christian Knuth: "Gay fashion entrepreneur buys ship for sea rescue in the Mediterranean" |website=blu.fm |date=26 August 2019 |access-date= |lang=}} The Eleonore is a pleasure boat. Under the command of Claus-Peter Reisch, she set out again at the end of August 2019 for the sea area off the Libyan coast.{{cite web |author= |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article199091285/Lifeline-Kapitaen-mit-neuem-Schiff-wieder-im-Mittelmeer-unterwegs.html |title="Lifeline"-Kapitän mit neuem Schiff wieder im Mittelmeer unterwegs |trans-title="Lifeline" captain on the move in the Mediterranean with a new ship |website=Welt.de |date=24 August 2019 |access-date= |lang=}} The crew was informed about the position of a migrant rubber dinghy by the Alarm-Phone-Initiative and finally took on a total of 104 people{{cite web |url=https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000108324786/300-000-euro-strafe-fuer-deutschen-kapitaen-von-ngo-schiff |title=300.000-Euro-Strafe für deutschen Kapitän Reisch von NGO-Schiff Eleonore |trans-title=300,000 euro fine for German captain Reisch of the NGO ship Eleonore |access-date=2021-03-14 }} from a dinghy. Both Italy and Malta refused requests to enter their ports, so the overcrowded rescue ship had to be supplied with food and water on the high seas.{{cite web |author= |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/lifeline-kapitaen-reisch-ueber-die-situation-an-board-der-eleonore-16356631.html |title=Julia Anton: -: "Die Welt zieht den Vorhang vor einem Drama zu" |trans-title=Julia Anton: -: "The world draws the curtain on a drama" |website=FAZ.de |date=29 August 2019 |access-date= |lang=}} At the beginning of September, after violent thunderstorms, he declared the Eleonore an emergency due to a life-threatening situation on board and ran into the Sicilian port of Pozzallo accompanied by the Italian coast guard, although this was contrary to the instructions of Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, whereupon the Eleonore was confiscated by the Italian police.{{cite web |url=https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_86374828/italien-beschlagnahmt-deutsches-rettungsschiff-eleonore-kapitaen-trotzt-salvini.html|title=Italien beschlagnahmt deutsches Rettungsschiff |trans-title=Italy confiscates German rescue ship |work=www.t-online.de|date=2019-09-02|access-date=2019-09-03}}
In January 2020, Captain {{ill|Claus-Peter Reisch|de}} distanced himself from Mission Lifeline and announced that he would no longer operate any more missions. "Political agitation and radical statements" would not get the rescue at sea any further.{{cite web|url=https://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/2020-01/claus-peter-reisch-kapitaen-seenotrettung-lifeline|title="Vieles ist mir zu linksradikal"|trans-title=A lot is too radical left for me |author=Simone Gaul|publisher=Zeit Online|date=10 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2020}}
In mid-March 2020, the activists collected money to rent an airplane, and want to bring 100 underage migrants from the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos to Berlin.{{cite web |author= |url=https://taz.de/Aktivist-ueber-Hilfe-fuer-Gefluechtete/!5671926/ |title=Lisa Kuhn im Interview mit Axel Steier "Die Menschen müssen da raus" |trans-title=Lisa Kuhn in an interview with Axel Steier "People have to get out of there" |website=TAZ.de |date=16 March 2020 |access-date= |lang=}}
=''Rise Above''=
Because of the confiscation of the two rescue boats after rescue missions, the association eventually sold the Lifeline{{cite web |author= |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/lifeline-rescue-ship-sold-after-ending-up-flagless.773846 |title=Lifeline rescue ship sold after ending up flagless |website=timesofmalta.com |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=3 July 2021 |lang=}} and acquired a former TF6 Torpedofangboot (torpedo recovery boat) of the German Navy from a private owner. After renovation, it has operated under the name Rise Above for sea rescue in the Mediterranean Sea, and is able to accommodate up to 150 people.{{cite web |author=Mathias Pöls |url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/politik/gesellschaft/mission-lifeline-seenotretter-kaufen-bundeswehr-schiff-100.html |title="Mission Lifeline" kauft altes Schiff der Bundeswehr |trans-title="Mission Lifeline" buys an old Bundeswehr ship |website=MDR |date=3 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019 |lang=}}
It was originally intended to start operating in May 2020. After some delays in preparing the ship, a naming ceremony was expected during April 2021.{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.postdiscus.com/2021/04/saxonys-regional-bishop-bilz-christened.html |title=Saxony's regional bishop Bilz christened the refugee ship of "Mission Lifeline" |website=www.postdiscus.com |date=April 2021 |access-date=20 June 2021 |lang=}}{{cite web |author=|url=https://www.dnn.de/Dresden/Lokales/Dresdner-Verein-Mission-Lifeline-schickt-neues-Schiff-ins-Mittelmeer |title=Dresdner Verein Mission Lifeline schickt "Rise Above" ins Mittelmeer |trans-title=Dresden association Mission Lifeline sends "Rise Above" to the Mediterranean |website=www.dnn.de |date=9 April 2021 |quote= ...On Friday, the new ship “Rise Above” of the Dresden Sea Rescue Association “Mission Lifeline” will be christened near Hamburg. The ship is to be used in the Mediterranean to rescue refugees. The Evangelical Lutheran regional bishop of Saxony is also there. |access-date=20 June 2021 |lang=}} The vessel began rescue operations in October 2021.{{cite web |author= |url=https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2021/december-2021-update-ngo-ships-sar-activities#publication-tab-1 |title=December 2021 Update – Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the Mediterranean and fundamental rights |website=fra.europa.eu |date=17 December 2021 |access-date=2 January 2022 |lang=}}
Criticism
{{blockquote |text=Tweet:
„Ihr seid noch nicht verheiratet? Vielleicht verliebt Ihr Euch zufällig in einen Menschen, der*die hier noch kein Bleiberecht hat. Könnte passieren, oder? Bleibt offen! 💖“
– Mission Lifeline}}
Due to this tweet from January 23, 2019, translated as {{blockquote |text=“You are not married yet? Perhaps you happen to fall in love with someone who does not yet have the right to stay here. Could happen, right? Remain open! 💖 "- Mission Lifeline}} a text with the title "Sea Rescuers advertise marriages with refugees" appeared in der Bild on January 28,{{cite web |author= |url=https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/politik-inland/mission-lifeline-seenotretter-werben-fuer-ehen-mit-fluechtlingen-59795932.bild.html |title=Seenotretter werben für Ehen mit Flüchtlingen |trans-title=Sea rescuers promote marriages with refugees |website=www.bild.de |date=27 January 2019 |access-date=20 May 2021 |lang=}}
in which claims are made that the association advertises "marriages of convenience" and that the captain Claus-Peter Reisch is on trial in Malta on charges of “smuggling”. State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Stephan Mayer (CSU), also saw the call for marriages of convenience in the tweet.{{cite news |work=WELT |title=Innenministerium kritisiert "Mission Lifeline": Aufruf zur Scheinehe - Seenotretter weisen Vorwurf zurück |trans-title=Interior Ministry criticizes "Mission Lifeline": Call for fictitious marriage - sea rescuers reject allegation |date=2019-01-28 |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/video187859166/Innenministerium-kritisiert-Mission-Lifeline-Aufruf-zur-Scheinehe-Seenotretter-weisen-Vorwurf-zurueck.html |access-date=2019-02-12}} The association stated that the tweet was to be understood as an appeal for donations.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SEENOTRETTUNG/status/1088899164874915840|title=Tweet Replying to @SEENOTRETTUNG ...und wenn Ihr glücklich seid, denkt auch an Menschen auf der Flucht! Es macht noch glücklicher, etwas Gutes zu tun: mission-lifeline.de/de/spenden |trans-title=(Replying to @SEENOTRETTUNG) ... and if you are happy, also think of people on the run! It makes you even happier to do something good: mission-lifeline.de/de/spenden |date=2019-01-25|access-date=2019-01-30}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SEENOTRETTUNG/status/1089551659137679362|title=Tweet(SEENOTRETTUNG) @BILD fragt, wir antworten |trans-title=Tweet (SEA EMERGENCY RESCUE) @BILD asks, we answer |date=2019-01-27|access-date=2019-01-30}} Reisch is not on trial in Malta for “smuggling”, but because he is said to have not properly registered the ship. Mission Lifeline took legal action against die Bild because of false claims against their better judgment.{{cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/umstrittener-tweet-werbung-fuer-scheinehen-mit-fluechtlingen-zoff-um-seenotretter-von-lifeline_id_10242399.html|title=Werbung für Scheinehen mit Flüchtlingen? Zoff um Seenotretter von "Lifeline" |trans-title=Advertising for fictitious marriages with refugees? Zoff about sea rescuers from "Lifeline" |access-date=2019-01-30|work=focus.de}}{{cite news |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/video187859166/Innenministerium-kritisiert-Mission-Lifeline-Aufruf-zur-Scheinehe-Seenotretter-weisen-Vorwurf-zurueck.html|title=Aufruf zur Scheinehe - Seenotretter weisen Vorwurf zurück |trans-title=Call for sham marriage - sea rescuers reject allegation |access-date=2019-01-30|work=welt.de|date=28 January 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1110957.seenotrettung-lifeline-geht-juristisch-gegen-die-bild-vor.html |title=»Lifeline« geht juristisch gegen die »Bild« vor |trans-title=»Lifeline« takes legal action against »Bild« |access-date=2019-01-30 |work=neues-deutschland.de}} On February 12, 2019, die Bild published a reply to this effect.{{cite web | url=https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/politik-inland/claus-peter-reisch-gegendarstellung-59866244.bild.html | website=www.bild.de | title=Gegendarstellung (Reply) | date=12 February 2019 |access-date=12 February 2019}}
Awards
- Mission Lifeline and the Lifeline captain Claus-Peter Reisch received the {{ill|Lew Kopelew Prize|de}} on April 7, 2019{{cite web |url=http://www.dnn.de/Dresden/Lokales/Dresdner-Seenotrettung-Mission-Lifeline-bekommt-Friedenspreis-Dresdner-Seenotrettung-Mission-Lifeline-bekommt-Friedenspreis |title=Dresdner Seenotrettung Mission Lifeline bekommt Friedenspreis |date=14 February 2019 |trans-title=Dresden Sea Rescue Mission Lifeline receives peace prize |access-date=2019-02-15}}
- Peace plaque "Swords to Ploughshares" on October 8, 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.mdr.de/sachsen/dresden/dresden-radebeul/plakette-schwerter-pflugscharen-ehrung-initiativen-100.html |title=Drei Sächsische Initiativen erhalten Friedensplakette "Schwerter zu Pflugscharen" |trans-title="Three Saxon initiatives receive peace plaque "Swords to Ploughshares " |website=www.mdr.de}}