Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) trying to save lives in the Mediterranean have denounced the “different criteria” and “hypocrisy” of European authorities in responding to shipwrecks in the same waters, citing the resources and media attention given to the sinking of Mediterranean millionaire Mike Lynch’s luxury yacht off Sicily while successive sinkings of migrant boats are ignored.
“Saving lives should not depend on the colour of your skin or the size of your wallet,” German NGO Sea-Watch told the Guardian, recalling that days after the sinking of the Bayes, a boat carrying 43 migrants sank in the Mediterranean and calls for help were ignored. “For Italian and European authorities, there are shipwrecks and shipwrecks: one is immediately rescued, the other is abandoned,” it said.
For another German NGO, Sea-Eye, the reaction to the sinking of the Bayesian vessel revealed a “shocking contrast”. “Unfortunately, for the media, society and politicians it matters who drowns,” he said.
Author: Rita Monteiro
Source: CM Jornal
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