NGO Lifeline has accused the government of adopting “suffocation tactics” when it impounded their vessel and left them “abandoned” in Malta.
The MV Lifeline docked in the country in June, bringing to an end a saga that saw more than 200 migrants stranded at sea for six days. When it docked at Boiler Wharf in Senglea, it was impounded by local authorities and its captain hauled to court, with Malta accusing him of steering an unregistered vessel.
“It was clearly an attempt to suffocate us and bring down our collective morale,” a spokeswoman for the NGO told the Times of Malta.
“It’s very clear to us that the legal basis for the impounding was very flimsy and inconsistent. There were accusations levelled against the captain and consequently against the crew,” she said.
“ They are also using it as an excuse to spread the net to stop other ships.”
When we hear about migrants dying, we get the feeling we could have saved them
Two other vessels, Seefuchs and Sea Watch-3, have also been impounded.
NGO Sea Watch also runs the search plane Moonbird, which has similarly been grounded.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was “clearly” hiding behind right-wing Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, the spokeswoman added.
“He is clearly using Mr Salvini as a political shield to avert too much controversy,” the spokeswoman said.
“It's a bit cowardly, in a way.”
The government issued a strong reaction to Mr Salvini’s claim that Malta was not fulfilling its commitments to a migrants' redistribution mechanism established by the Italian authorities.
The government said it had been in contact with the Italian authorities about fulfilling its commitments as soon as possible, adding that the Italian authorities had not provided any tangible procedure for Malta to follow.
Meanwhile, Lifeline said the most challenging part of being stuck in the country has been hearing about migrants who have drowned.
Officially 261 migrants lost their lives at sea, but the team fears the total is probably bigger.
“When we hear about migrants dying, we get the feeling that we could have saved them,” another spokesman for the vessel said.
The NGO has now acquired another ship as a way to circumvent the ban.
Due to the “unlawful obstruction” by EU member states, the NGO said it could only give details about its new ship once the vessel reaches international waters.