This edition’s special focus is dedicated to the rising tensions over search and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean. With an expected increase in the number of people trying to cross to Europe via the Mediterranean routes during the summer, tensions are rising between the various actors that are involved in search and rescue operations at sea. NGOs that are active near the North African coast have come into confrontational situations with the Libyan Coast Guard while far-right groups have attempted to prevent NGO ships from leaving port. Further straining this already challenging environment, Italy announced that it will not continue to serve as the primary point of entry for rescued migrants, and may deny access to Italian ports for non-Italian vessels if other EU member states do not show more solidarity.
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