UNHCR concerned over ending of rescue operation in the Mediterranean
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is concerned over the announcement of the ending this month of the Italian operation Mare Nostrum without a similar European search and rescue operation to replace it. This will undoubtedly increase the risk for those trying to find safety in Europe, and could lead to more refugees and migrants perishing at sea. It is estimated that 3343 people have lost their lives this year while making such journeys, 2755 of them since the start of July.
UNHCR has welcomed Mare Nostrum, which has contributed to the rescue of around 150,000 refuges and migrants since it began a year ago as a response to two tragedies off the coast of Lampedusa, where over 600 refugees and migrants died. Today, UNHCR reiterates its call for Europe to commit more resources to rescue at sea in the Mediterranean.
It is critical that the long-established tradition of rescue at sea is upheld by all. UNHCR also recognizes the efforts made by many commercial vessels - this year alone they have contributed to the rescue of about 37,000 people. To the extent possible, such rescue must ensure minimal financial impact on the shipping industry. Predictability on places for the disembarkation in safety of those rescued is also required.
In addition, Europe needs to step up efforts to provide credible legal alternatives to dangerous voyages to protect people from the risks of traveling with smugglers. The collective response needs to maintain a strong capacity to rescue people at sea and increase safer ways for refugees to find safety in Europe, including enhanced resettlement, other forms of humanitarian admission and private sponsorship schemes. UNHCR is also calling on European governments to do more to facilitate family reunification and use programmes such as student or employment visas to benefit refugees.
The level of desperation among many of those involved, fleeing war, persecution and violence, including from Syria require our concerted efforts to respond. This trend began in June and July last year, before Mare Nostrum was established, and has continued in 2014. In addition, an increased number of women, children, including many unaccompanied, and elderly people are taking to dangerous sea routes. They face greater risks, are more vulnerable to abuse and have specific needs that require assistance after they are rescued.
These challenges cannot be addressed by a few states alone; a joint European response is needed, based on collaboration among states and EU support. These efforts also need to ensure additional initial reception facilities, adequate reception conditions, assistance in processing as well as identifying solutions for those in need of international protection
For more information on this topic, please contact:
- In Rome, In Rome, Carlotta Sami on mobile +39 335 679 4746
- In Rome, Federico Fossi on mobile +31 349 0843461
- In Geneva, William Spindler on mobile +41 79 217 3011
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Your search for « mare nostrum » matched 76 results. Displaying page 7 of 9 pages.
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The sea route to Europe: The Mediterranean passage in the age of refugees
1 Jul 2015 ... ... Shortly after, Italy launched a historic search and rescue at sea operation called Mare Nostrum. This operation contributed to saving thousands of lives. However, it gradually sparked opposition as ...... -
United Nations Security Council (7394th Meeting), Open Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Syria. Remarks by António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. New York, 26 February 2015
26 Feb 2015 ... ... Since the start of 2015, over 370 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean - that's one person drowning for every twenty who made it. But Italy's Mare Nostrum operation has ended, and the ...... -
Statement by the Director of the Bureau for Europe, Vincent Cochetel
5 Mar 2014 ... ... The argument of some European States that the Italian Navy’s rescue-at-sea response called the Mare Nostrum operation, constitutes a pull factor overlooks not only how the closures of some land ...... -
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres - Written text of speech to the UN Security Council - 26 February 2015
26 Feb 2015 ... ... Since the start of 2015, over 370 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean - that's one person drowning for every twenty who made it. But Italy's Mare Nostrum operation has ended, and the ...... -
Opening remarks by António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the High-Level Segment of the 65th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme on Enhancing International Cooperation, Solidarity, Local Capacities and Humanitarian Action for Refugees in Africa, Geneva, 29 September 2014
29 Sep 2014 ... ... UNHCR has been advocating for robust European capacity for rescue at sea, recognizing the extremely important humanitarian contribution of Italy's Mare Nostrum operation. But we are also calling for ...... -
Don't fear refugees, help them (The Security Times, February 2015)
2 Feb 2015 ... ... Ita- ly’s noble Mare Nostrum opera- tion, which rescued over 160,000 people at sea, is now phasing out – and the EU has no plans to replace it, beyond the border sur- veillance of its new Triton ...... -
Update on UNHCR's operations in Europe
24 Sep 2015 ... Update on UNHCR’s operations in Europe Europe has experienced a significant increase in the arrival and transit of refugees and migrants in 2015. This has challenged the effective functioning of ...... -
High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges, Protection at Sea. Closing remarks by Mr. António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Geneva, 11 December 2014
11 Dec 2014 ... ... And we cannot ask an entity to do something for which that entity has no mandate and no resources. It is obvious that we need a robust capacity - it can be Mare Nostrum, it can be a European Union ...... -
Note on international protection (EC/65/SC/CRP.10). Presented by: The Director, Division of International Protection
1 Jul 2014 ... ... Loss of life associated with these movements remains disturbingly high, notwithstanding a range of important initiatives to save lives, such as Italy’s Mare Nostrum initiative that has rescued some ......