Libyan coastguard opens fire on humanitarian rescue ship AGAIN, says NGO

The Libyan coast is one of the main departure points for people fleeing North Africa in small boats, with thousands dying during the perilous journey. The Libyan coastguard - which operates largely as a proxy anti-migrant force for the European Union - has now been linked to two recent attacks against humanitarian rescue ships. Last August, Libya’s coast guard reportedly fired on the Ocean Viking vessel as it searched for a small boat in distress. Libya is notorious for its treatment of displaced people and migrants. Rights groups including the UN document systematic enslavement, arbitrary detention, torture and extortion by anti-migrant militias that often receive international funds to police Europe’s external border. We speak to Alex Howlett, a journalist who has been on migrant rescue missions, and Nathan Akehurst, migration researcher and search-and-rescue volunteer. Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fZh5SBxxMNYdg0VzRFkg/join Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected] Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeasteye Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/MiddleEastEye Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/MiddleEastEye Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye