Detention of 18 Sicilian fishermen by Haftar’s militia in Libya
14.10.2020
Priority question for written answer P-005620/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Francesca Donato (ID), Marco Zanni (ID), Marco Campomenosi (ID), Alessandro Panza (ID), Paolo Borchia (ID), Annalisa Tardino (ID), Antonio Maria Rinaldi (ID), Stefania Zambelli (ID), Vincenzo Sofo (ID), Angelo Ciocca (ID), Gianantonio Da Re (ID)
On 1 September 2020, 18 fishermen from Mazara del Vallo, who were on a fishing trip approximately 38 nautical miles north of the coast of Cyrenaica, were seized by Libyan army personnel and were brought to Benghazi on board a number of boats. Their two fishing vessels were also seized by General Haftar’s militia.
For almost one month there was no news about the fate of crews. It was then confirmed that they were being detained. In response to Italian requests, the Libyan authorities have asked for the release of four Libyans sentenced by the Court of Catania to 30 years in prison for human trafficking and the death of 49 migrants at sea.
These detentions are not the first regrettable incidents. In light of the above, we should like to ask the Commission the following questions:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this situation?
- 2.What steps can the Commission take to rapidly resolve this distressing situation for the fishermen concerned, their families and the many fishermen who are operating in these Mediterranean areas, where acts of piracy for the purpose of extortion continue to take place in clear violation of international law?
Supporters[1]
- [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Rosanna Conte (ID), Luisa Regimenti (ID)