European Commission: This is how migration across the Mediterranean should be handled

The issue of migration has once again been at the top of the EU’s agenda with a row in the past few weeks between Italy and France over the responsibility of a ship with rescued migrants.

During October and November, a ship operated by a French human rights organization with 234 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean on board was refused docking at Italian ports. In the end, France allowed the ship to dock in one of its ports – but at the same time canceled plans to take 3,500 asylum seekers from Italy.

At heart, the conflict is over states’ responsibility for ships under their flag – and for the migrants they rescue.

To clarify the situation, the European Commission presented on Monday Action Plan With 20 measures of how EU countries are dealing with the growing number of migrants arriving in the EU via the Central Mediterranean route – the The most dangerous way to the European Union according to the United Nations International Migration Agency.

The action plan is also a precursor to Friday’s special meeting with EU immigration ministers where this very issue will be discussed.

– A lot of people fall into the hands of people smugglers – at least 90% of those who come to the EU use smugglers. We also see people lose their lives along these routes. It is not sustainable. We must increase our efforts, EU Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Monday, and noted that a large part was about increasing the pace of measures already agreed.

Increase cooperation with countries of origin

The action plan is partly about increasing cooperation with countries of origin and transit, but also with international organizations – the focus is on returns and reducing the number of departures towards the EU.

– Ylva Johansson points out that the vast majority of people who arrive by this route today do not need international protection.

EU countries must also better coordinate their efforts to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. Here, the issue of the liability of ships arises, and Ylva Johansson points out that there are gaps in maritime law, where the role of “private ships operating at sea is still a scenario that lacks great clarity.”

The European Commission also calls on EU countries to implement it an agreement June Conclusions on Voluntary Transfer of Migrants and Financial Contributions from EU Countries that are Not in the Front Line of Migrant Reception – Former Sweden Agreement stood out.

However, the EU Commission’s action plan has received criticism from human rights organizations.

– While NGOs are calling for proactive state-led search and rescue operations at sea, the committee appears to be looking for new ways to limit the life-saving work of rescue NGOs who are just trying to fill the void says Mateo de Bellis, researcher at Amnesty International. , the absence of state intervention on Twitter.