Sea-Watch 5 detained for 20 days – Fourth detention of Justice Fleet vessel in four months
Yesterday, the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 was detained by Italian authorities for 20 days after refusing to communicate with the Libyan Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which is in command of the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. Prior to the detention, the crew had rescued 93 people from distress in the Central Mediterranean.
The detention of the Sea-Watch 5 marks the fourth detention of a vessel belonging to the Justice Fleet alliance since December 2025. Since then, Italian authorities have imposed detentions on alliance ships amounting to 115 days in total, resulting in a significant reduction of rescue capacities on the central Mediterranean.
The so-called Libyan Coast Guard is composed of various militia groups and has been repeatedly linked to grave human rights violations against people seeking protection, both at sea and in detention and torture centres in Libya, as documented by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Moreover, the so-called Libyan Coast Guard has repeatedly threatened or attacked humanitarian vessels at sea.
In light of these findings, the Justice Fleet alliance does not recognise Libyan maritime authorities as legitimate search and rescue actors and calls for an immediate end to European cooperation with them.
Punished for upholding international law
Following the rescue, Italian authorities assigned the Sea-Watch 5 a distant port over 1,100 kilometers away in Marina di Carrara. When the vessel was initially prevented from entering port, the crew declared a state of necessity on March 15 in order to secure urgent medical care for survivors.
The decision to enter the nearer port of Trapani was an act of disobedience against illegitimate orders by Italy endangering lives, Sea-Watch argues, and a necessary step to uphold fundamental rights of survivors under international law, including the right to life and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Detaining rescue ships for refusing to cooperate with actors responsible for severe human rights violations is not law enforcement – it is politically motivated obstruction,” says Wasil Schauseil, spokesperson for the Justice Fleet. “By assigning far-away ports and delaying access to safety, Italian authorities are deliberately undermining the protection of life at sea. For us Justice Fleet, defending human rights at sea is not optional – it is a legal and moral obligation. We will continue to act accordingly.”
Justice Fleet stands united for international law
Despite increasing pressure, the Justice Fleet alliance remains committed to defending human rights and international maritime law. Recent court rulings in Italy have repeatedly confirmed that NGO ship detentions are unlawful and that coordination with Libyan actors cannot be required, given the well-documented human rights violations. The organisations announce that they will continue to challenge these measures in court.
More information on the Justice Fleet can be found here.
A list of extreme acts of violence committed by Libyan militias can be found here.
Photo and video material from the Sea-Watch 5 rescue can be found here.
Further information on the detention of Sea-Watch 5 can be found on the Sea-Watch website under News.
Wasil Schauseil
Justice Fleet spokesperson
+4930120821923
info@justice-fleet.org
