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There has been a successful result in the case of two individuals, ‘N’ and Hasan, who were accused by the Greek state of baseless charges of smuggling and child endangerment.
On Christmas eve, when many families are celebrating their love for each other, others die trying to reach the supposed safety of Europe. But Fortress Europe pushes them back, and should people nevertheless be successful, they will be charged for their attempt to find life in dignity.
Spotlight Borders is a podcast dedicated to people on the move and their supporters
The Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund is supporting a unique project aiming to help criminalised migrant boat drivers in Italy.
Syri Chock (pseudonym) was kept in prison for over four months. He was arrested in Greece near the border to Albania in June 2021 after being injured in the woods for over a day. Shortly after the trial, he was released with a comparatively low suspended sentence.
In Belgium, eleven people were criminalised for their solidarity with people on the move. The Legal Aid Fund covers the legal fees for the affected individuals.
Frontex is trying to intimidate civil society by demanding horrendous sums of money. Even the European Parliament has intervened. The LAF has taken over the payout.
The Sea-Watch Legal Aid (SWLA) Fund is supporting an exciting, vital legal challenge led by lawyers from Prakken d’Oliveira against the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
When the Federal Ministry of Transport amended two regulations to the effect that ships used for humanitarian purposes must meet commercial safety requirements, this was tantamount to a de facto ban for some organisations. Mare Liberum e.V., in close cooperation with other sea rescue organisations, has taken legal action against the legal change. The Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund has financially supported the legal action.
Following a port state control, the Alan Kurdi is detained in the port of Palermo. Even an objection by the German flag state did not secure the release of the ship. This is not about the safety of the people on the ships, but about a political strategy to preserve the fortress Europe. The case before the administrative court in Palermo is financially supported by the Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund.
In August 2017, one of the first civil sea rescue vessels was confiscated: The IUVENTA of the organisation JUGEND RETTET e.V.. One year later it becomes known that 10 former crew members are also being investigated. Even after three years, there is still no verdict - in 2020 the campaign work is financially supported by the Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund.
Following a state of emergency on board, Captain Carola Rackete brings 40 people rescued at sea to the port of Lampedusa. Subsequently, she is put under house arrest and is being investigated on multiple counts. The ship, the Sea-Watch 3, was seized for months. The Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund financed the detention trial all the way to Italy's highest court, as well as the release of the ship.
In June 2018, Sea-Watch 3 was refused permission to leave the port of Malta. Despite meeting all security requirements, it took four months before the ship was allowed to leave the port again. Sea-Watch sued the Maltese authorities for the unlawful detainment and the resulting costs. The Sea-Watch Legal Aid Fund supported Sea-Watch by covering the legal costs.
