NATO Units Left 61 African Migrants (from Tripoli) to Die of Hunger and Thirst (16 Days at Open Sea)

[tekisui]

Source: The Guardian

Dozens of African migrants were left to die in the Mediterranean after a number of European and Nato military units apparently ignored their cries for help, the Guardian has learned.

A boat carrying 72 passengers, including several women, young children and political refugees, ran into trouble in late March after leaving Tripoli for the Italian island of Lampedusa. Despite alarms being raised with the Italian coastguard and the boat making contact with a military helicopter and a Nato warship, no rescue effort was attempted.

All but 11 of those on board died from thirst and hunger after their vessel was left to drift in open waters for 16 days. "Every morning we would wake up and find more bodies, which we would leave for 24 hours and then throw overboard," said Abu Kurke, one of only nine survivors. "By the final days, we didn't know ourselves … everyone was either praying, or dying."

International maritime law compels all vessels, including military units, to answer distress calls from nearby boats and to offer help where possible. Refugee rights campaigners have demanded an investigation into the deaths, while the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, has called for stricter co-operation among commercial and military vessels in the Mediterranean in an effort to save human lives.

more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

[tabatha]

1. A spokesman for Nato,

A spokesman for Nato, which is co-ordinating military action in Libya, said it had not logged any distress signals from the boat and had no records of the incident. "Nato units are fully aware of their responsibilities with regard to the international maritime law regarding safety of life at sea," said an official. "Nato ships will answer all distress calls at sea and always provide help when necessary. Saving lives is a priority for any Nato ships."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

If true, I hope the ICC investigates.

But, the article seems dishonest, because Nato has said that no distress calls were logged.

[RKP5637]

2. As usual, anymore, there is so much misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and outright lies

it's getting harder and harder to find the real truth. And it's by plan.

[Mojeoux]

3. Damn NATO anyway! ~nt

[BOG PERSON]

4. if the EU hates refugees maybe it should stop creating them