The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has imposed a 20-day administrative grounding on Sea-Watch reconnaissance aircraft Seabird 1. The German NGO denounced the measure, claiming authorities penalize human rights monitors while ignoring actual violators.
The grounding order follows Sea-Watch’s documentation last week of an alleged failure to assist a migrant vessel in the Central Mediterranean by its other aircraft, Seabird 2. That incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of two children and one adult.
Sea-Watch stated the grounding, formally notified today, cites alleged regulatory violations from June 30th. The organization condemned the sanction as “yet another pretextual measure,” adding it is consulting lawyers to challenge the decision.
“Those who denounce human rights violations pay the price, not those who commit them,” Sea-Watch declared. The NGO confirmed its operations would continue using its remaining aircraft: “We are not discouraged. We will resume flying in the coming days to document what happens in the Central Mediterranean.”