User:AntonHogervorst/Jugend Rettet

Jugend Rettet is a Non-governmental organization (NGO) from Berlin. Its goal is to save drowning persons at the Mediterranean. Operations are conducted with the Iuventa, a ship that sails under Dutch flag. This ship was seized in August 2017 after suspicion of cooperation with migrant smugglers.

The organisation is divided into three divisions. First there is the Iuventa crew. The Iuventa is a 33 meter (108 ft.) ship, built to sail in the North Sea. In 2016 it was bought and rebuilt to become a rescue vessel. The name Iuventa originates from the Roman god of youth and courage. Second there is a department to encourage political awareness of certain issues. Third there is a discussion platform for the right of asylum.

During a session of the Italian parliament at the 10th of May 2017, a prosecutor accused Jugend Rettet of working together with migrant smugglers. Jugend Rettet denied the allegations. The organisation Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) criticized the behaviour of NGOs at the Libyan coast waters, and reproached them unwillingness to cooperate with the official organisations. August 2017 Jugend Rettet refused to sign the code of conduct for NGOs set up by the Italian government.

Seizing of the Iuventa
On August 2nd 2017  the public prosecutor of the Italian municipality of Trapani seized the Iuventa on allegation of cooperation with migrant smugglers and the encouraging of illegal immigration. The confiscation was preceded by a year of investigations by the Italian police. The prosecutor demonstrated witness reports, photo material, video material and sound recordings which proofed that the organisation did not rescue people, but took over illegal immigrants at calm sea. The unimpaired vessels of the migrant smugglers subsequently cruised back.