NGO rescues off Libya encourage traffickers, says EU borders chief

Monday, 27 February 2017 09:39

The Guardian, 27 February 2017 - Head of Frontex calls for rescue operations in Med to be re-evaluated and says NGOs work ineffectively with security agencies

NGOs who rescue people in the sea off Libya are encouraging traffickers who profit from dangerous Mediterranean crossings, the head of the EU border agency Frontex has said.

Speaking to Germany’s Die Welt newspaper, Fabrice Leggeri called for rescue operations to be re-evaluated and accused NGOs of ineffectively cooperating with security agencies against human traffickers.

The comments provoked a bitter row with charities and leftwing groups, who said there was no evidence of a lack of cooperation and that the alternative to rescue operations was to leave people to their deaths.

Read the full article on The Guardian