This report is produced by Forensic Oceanography (Charles Heller and Lorenzo Pezzani), part of the Forensic Architecture agency (Directed by Eyal Weizman) at Goldsmiths (University of London). Charles Heller conducted this research as part of his post doc research supported by the Swiss National Research Fund. Lorenzo Pezzani is a Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Charles Heller and Lorenzo Pezzani: Principal Investigators, Text
Rossana Padeletti: GIS analysis
Samaneh Moafi: Graphic design
Nancy Porsia: Fieldwork, Interviews (Libya)
Angela Smith: Editing
Matteo Menapace and Aimee Johanan: Web design (based on an original design by Nick Axel, Forensic Architecture)
Sebastian Clark: Additional research
Translations: Isabelle Saint-Saëns (French); Lorenzo Alunni (Italian, editing)
The report was based on extensive fieldwork in Italy. The authors thank the numerous actors who accepted to share their knowledge with us. Our gratitude goes in the first instance to the migrants we interviewed. Without their trust, this report would not be possible. We further thank the SAR NGOs, in particular Médecins Sans Frontières, Sea-Watch and the WatchTheMed Alarmphone, for their openness to our research, allowing for exchange in full transparency and privileged access to documents and data. We further thank state actors who granted us interviews and responded to our queries (the Italian Coast Guard and Customs Police, Frontex, military personnel).
The production of this report has necessitated that we consult with experts who generously shared their knowledge with us and helped us sharpen our analysis. Our gratitude goes to:
Legal expert: Itamar Mann
Migration policy experts: Chris Jones, Marie Martin, Paolo Cuttitta
Libya expert: Mark Micallef
Statistics experts: Manuela Honegger-Heller, Gian-Andrea Monsch
Oceanography expert: Richard Limeburner
Over the years, we have benefited from the insights of numerous NGOs, and their contribution was fundamental to the understanding of the situation at the maritime frontiers of the EU. We thank in particular the WatchTheMed, Migreurop, Boats4People and EuroMed Rights networks, as well as Statewatch, Amnesty International, ARCI, Meltingpot and Borderline Sicily. Finally, we would also like to thank Giacomo Zandonini and all other journalists who have helped us with the production of this report.