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 9 of 9 pages.
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Refugee Protection and International Migration: Update 2013-2014
8 Dec 2014 ... ... CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA INITIATIVE Despite over 150,000 people being rescued by Italy’s extraordinary Mare Nostrum operation from October 2013 to November 2014, over 3,400 people are estimated to ...... -
Statement by Volker Türk, Director of International Protection to the 65th Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme
3 Oct 2014 ... ... UNHCR applauds search and rescue operations by governments, notably Italy’s Mare Nostrum initiative which has rescued over 140,000 people this year, and hopes that these systems can be further ...... -
The Raise of Consensual Containment: From 'Contactless Control' to 'Contactless Responsibility' for Forced Migration Flows
16 Oct 2017 ... ... Interstate and EU Readmission Agreements’, in Ippolito and Trevisanut (eds.), Migration in Mare Nostrum: Mechanisms of International Cooperation (CUP, 2015) 263. 53 See Cassarino, Inventory of the ...... -
Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, 2014
26 Mar 2015 ... ... In an attempt to address this humanitarian tragedy, Italy launched a rescue-at-sea operation, called Mare Nostrum, using naval vessels like the one pictured on the photo. The operation, which ended in ...... Attachments: Asylum trends 2014 - annex tables (.zip)