Press Statement from IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF: the 62 rescued refugees and migrants on board the Alan Kurdi should be disembarked safely as quickly as possible

12 Apr 2019

Rome, 11 April

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UNICEF express serious concern over the situation of the 62 migrants and refugees rescued on 3 April by the Alan Kurdi, operated by NGO Sea Eye, who have still not been guaranteed a safe port for disembarkation.

Two women have been disembarked from the ship – which is currently off the coast of Malta – in the last three days. One, whose husband apparently remained on board, is pregnant and today had an epileptic fit.

The weather conditions and the many days spent at sea are making the situation for the people on board difficult. Further, all the migrants and refugees who departed from Libya have already suffered serious human rights violations.

The Agencies reaffirm the absolute priority of saving lives at sea and guaranteeing safe and timely disembarkation.

The situation in Libya makes it absolutely necessary to establish disembarkation mechanisms that are predictable and in line with all international conventions, under which the North African country cannot be considered a safe port.