Rejected by Malta, rescue ship seeks safe port
The civil rescue ship Sea-Eye 4, carrying 87 migrants, was refused permission to enter a port in Malta at the weekend and has continued on to southern Italy in the hope of being able to dock there.
Libya
Geo Barents allowed to dock in Italy after long wait at sea
Having spent more than a week onboard the Geo Barents rescue ship in the Mediterranean Sea, 659 refugees have finally been given clearance to disembark in Italy. They are expected to arrive in Taranto on the morning of August 5.
IOM: In Libya over 1,600 trafficking victims in two years
The International Organization for Migration IOM has assisted over 11,000 migrants in Libya during the last two years. They include more than 1,600 victims of abuse by traffickers, sexual exploitation, forced labor and extortion.
Human Rights Watch accuses Frontex drones of posing 'a threat to migrants and refugees'
A joint report from Human Rights Watch and Border Forensics says Frontex and the EU's use of drones is posing a "threat to migrants and refugees."
Mediterranean: Rescued migrants brought to Italy
After waiting for around one week, 380 people rescued from the Mediterranean by the humanitarian organization SOS Mediterranee have been allowed to land in Italy. The rescue ship Ocean Viking was granted permission to make port at Salerno, south of Naples.
More than 1,400 migrants waiting for safe port in Mediterranean
Three NGO rescue ships – the Geo Barents, the Ocean Viking and the Sea-Watch 3 – are currently waiting in the Central Mediterranean for a port to disembark the over 1,400 migrants they have rescued over the past week.
Germany's new government coalition continues cooperation with Libya
A media report suggests that Germany's governing coalition wants to retain the deal with Libya's coast guard despite election promises to end it. The cooperation is highly controversial due to well-documented human rights violations in Libyan migrant camps.
Italy: 27 persons evacuated from Libyan detention centers
Twenty-seven persons who suffered abuse and torture in Libyan detention centers have found shelter in Italy and will have access to specialized medical assistance. The group was evacuated at the end of June with a humanitarian flight from Libya to Italy; approximately half are now hosted in apartments offered by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Libya's SSA security force accused of abusing migrants
Tripoli's SSA security force are reportedly torturing, beating and humiliating migrants in detention facilities after intercepting their boats in the Mediterranean. The SSA indirectly draws money from funds provided by the EU as part of the bloc's efforts to stem the flow of migrants to European shores, the report added.
Tunisian coast guard rescues 455 migrants
The Tunisian coast guard reported on July 18 that it had rescued a total of 455 migrants the previous night. The Mediterranean nation has been sprucing up its efforts to fight irregular migration.
IOM: nearly 300 migrants returned to Libya last week
The UN Migration Agency (IOM) has shared its latest numbers on returns to Libya. Almost 300 migrants were returned to Libya in one week, taking the total number of returns thus far this year to more than 10,200.
MSF ship has 315 people on board after multiple rescues
It was a "busy day" for the crew of the Geo Barents in the Mediterranean on Thursday. Following six rescues in one day, there are 315 people now on board the private rescue ship run by Doctors without Borders (MSF).