A new report by Human Rights at Sea says that the deflagging of the Aquarius, the migrant rescue vessel of the NGOs SOS Méditerranée and Médecins Sans Frontières, represents a “dark moment” in European history. The Aquarius, which had seen its flag revoked by Gibraltar and Panama following political pressure from the Italian government, was forced to end its operations in December after rescuing more than 29,000 people in distress. “Political interference at the expense of lawful humanitarian actions abuses the fundamental rights of those in peril at sea.” the report concludes.