A group of people came together to remember the 'El Hiblu Three' on the quayside in Cardigan, with a colourful display of paper boats carrying messages of goodwill and support.

They said that the specific case, which involved three refugees from Libya being arrested for hijack and terrorism, was symbolic of the desperate journeys people make in search of sanctuary.

On a windy Saturday in west Wales the 13 candles would not light, but still each one represented 100 lives lost at sea in the last year.

The local Amnesty group says it will continue to campaign for human rights to be respected and protected.

"In 2019 over 100 refugees were rescued from a capsizing dinghy by a cargo ship, the El Hiblu," said said organiser Kate Sherringer.

"Those rescued had been fleeing from Libya, hoping to find safety. With great relief they spent the night on board the El Hiblu, confident that the next stop would be Europe.

"But when they came up on deck the next morning they recognised the coastline ahead of them as that of Libya.

"Complete panic broke out, with some people saying they would throw themselves into the sea rather than be returned to the country where they had suffered so much.

"Among the migrants were three teenagers who had made their way to Libya as refugees from their own countries.

"One of them spoke English, and together they calmed the situation on the boat and offered to act as interpreters between the captain and his human cargo.

"The boys were aged 16, 17 and 19 but they managed to reassure the other passengers and persuade the captain to turn the boat around and head towards Malta.

"As soon as the boat entered Maltese waters the three young men were arrested. They were charged with a number of serious crimes including hijack and terrorism.

"Later they were released on bail, but with strict restrictions on their liberty. The court case with a possible sentence of life imprisonment still hangs over their heads two years later.

"Amnesty International, the Catholic church and the UN High Commission for Human Rights have all criticised the way this case has been dealt with."