Mediterranean crossings: Collective action an important first step
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
This month's incidents on the Mediterranean, and the more than 1700 deaths and almost 40,000 crossings we have seen so far in 2015 are symptoms of an enormous and intensifying tragedy that is playing out on Europe's southern frontiers. The boat crossings are not just a migrant phenomenon, they are a refugee one too - half those who crossed the Mediterranean in 2014 were people seeking refuge from wars and persecution. And for refugees fleeing war, there has to be some alternative to having to cross the Mediterranean in smugglers boats.
With regard to the measures announced in Luxembourg and Brussels this week, UNHCR believes they are an important first step towards collective European action - which is the only approach that can work for a problem of such a large and trans-national nature. And we look forward to working closely with the EU and its Member States in building on some of the measures that have been announced.
We welcome in particular the tripling of funding for joint maritime operations. We appreciate the assurance given at the summit press conference that this will mean an operation with similar capacity, resources, and scope to the Mare Nostrum operation. It's crucial that everyone's focus is on saving lives, including in the Libyan search and rescue area, which is where most of the distress calls tend to come from.
Regarding other measures that have been announced this week, there clearly needs to be further elaboration of what these will mean for resettlement and relocation, and facilitating of access to international protection in Europe through other legal channels. From UNHCR's experience we know that without realistic and substantial alternative channels for people to reach safety, the much-needed increase in international efforts to crack down on smugglers and traffickers is unlikely to be effective.
Engagement with third countries will need to go beyond financing programmes and strengthening law enforcement capacity. Efforts still need to be made to address the root causes pushing people to flee, and to support Governments in truly protecting refugees and others more effectively, ensuring full respect for human rights.
As the EU institutions and its Member States move towards the implementation of these measures, and the Commission works on the development of a European Agenda for Migration, UNHCR will be urging that the range of measures proposed be expanded further, and that a holistic plan which puts the principles of humanity, solidarity and respect for human rights at the forefront is adopted.
Ultimately, the test will be whether we see a reduction in lives lost, effective access to protection in Europe without having to cross the Mediterranean, and an effective Common European Asylum System, which truly lives up to its commitments of solidarity and responsibility sharing. UNHCR is stepping up our own response to this crisis. And we stand ready to work collaboratively with our European partners.
Media contacts:
- In Geneva, William Spindler: +41 79 217 3011, [email protected]
- In Rome, Federico Fossi: +39 349 0843461, [email protected]
- In Catania, Barbara Molinario: +39 338 546 2932, [email protected]
- In Catania, Carlotta Sami: +39 335 679 4746, [email protected]
- In Valetta, Fabrizio Ellul: +356 9969 0081, [email protected]
- In London, Andrej Majecic: +44 20 7484 5891, [email protected]
- In Paris, Philippe Leclerc: +44 144 43 48 50, [email protected]
- See also the Media page
Your search for « mediterranean » matched 1673 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 11 of 112 pages.
-
Latest boat tragedy off Libya adds to rising death toll in Mediterranean
8 Jul 2014 ... are among the latest people to have perished while attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya. ... to have drowned off the Libyan coast so far in 2014 while trying to cross the Mediterranean. ...... -
UNHCR calls for a European-wide protection response to the tragedies in the Mediterranean
22 Apr 2015 ... response to the tragedies in the Mediterranean There is an enormous displacement crisis ... urgent action to address continued boat movements and the tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean. ...... -
News comment on latest shipwrecks on Mediterranean Sea
11 Jun 2017 ... UNHCR is deeply concerned about the latest reports of deaths at sea on the Mediterranean this ... Over 1,770 people are estimated to have died or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea ...... -
Hellish journey over for young woman rescued from the Mediterranean
23 Aug 2019 ... ... More than 800 people have died or gone missing this year on the Mediterranean, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR says increased search and rescue capacity on the Central Mediterranean ...... -
Boat people arrivals in the Mediterranean, Gulf of Aden already top 2007
4 Nov 2008 ... Nevertheless, the number of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Aden by ... In addition to the Mediterranean, UNHCR has been drawing attention for some time to the humanitarian ...... -
Massive loss of life reported in latest Mediterranean tragedy
20 Apr 2016 ... of an overcrowded boat that sank in the Mediterranean in what could be one of the worst tragedies ... the large boat went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy. ...... -
Refugee Protection and Mixed-Migration: The 10-Point Plan in Action: Chapter 3 Protection-sensitive entry systems. Reference 1 - UNHCR, Selected Reference Materials: Rescue at Sea, Maritime Interception and Stowaways, November 2006
1 Jun 2009 ... was prepared for a conference on rescue at sea and maritime interception in the Mediterranean. ... migration from the south of the Mediterranean into Europe, adopted on 28 January, 2000 ...... -
6. The Treatment of Persons Rescued at Sea. Annex 5 - Selected Reference Materials: Rescue at Sea, Maritime Interception and Stowaways
2011 ... was prepared for a conference on rescue at sea and maritime interception in the Mediterranean. ... migration from the south of the Mediterranean into Europe, adopted on 28 January, 2000 ...... -
UNHCR lauds Europe's rescue efforts in Mediterranean Sea
15 Jan 2017 ... Guard Agency, from boats struggling in rough weather on the Mediterranean over the past three days. ... is already a tragic start to 2017 on the Mediterranean Sea, I am really heartened to see the first ......