The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
August 2, 2021

700 Refugees Rescued Off Coasts of Libya and Malta
--------------------------------------------------

Over 700 refugees - including a three-month-old baby - were rescued off
the coast of Libya and Malta over the weekend as they attempted to reach
Europe. The humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee has carried out at least
six separate rescue operations since Saturday. The group is searching
for a safe location to disembark the asylum-seekers. This comes as the
number of refugees trying to reach European soil continues to grow due
to worsening poverty, violence and the climate crisis. Over 1,100
refugees have perished crossing through dangerous sea routes so far this
year. Meanwhile Greek authorities on the island of Lesbos have drafted
criminal charges against at least 10 humanitarian aid workers - accusing
migrant rescue groups of "human trafficking."


.