Photo by Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash
The European Parliament has taken a strong stance in support of an EU Search and Rescue Mission.
This comes after years of MEPs pushing for what they call a sustainable, reliable and permanent approach to search and rescue operations.
Parliament’s support of more EU action comes after the capsizing and sinking of a fishing boat near the coast of Greece that had around 750 people on board.
The loss of several hundred lives at sea is not an isolated incident. According to International Organisation for Migration figures, there are 27,633 people recorded missing, presumed dead, in the Mediterranean since 2014.
This year alone, 1,875 people have died or have gone missing trying to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean.
A parliament report calls on member states to step up their proactive search and rescue operations in cooperation with Frontex and to ensure there are enough vessels and equipment for saving lives.
The EU Search and Rescue Mission would be implemented by both the responsible national authorities in member states and the EU border.
Comment came from Birgit Sippel, S&D spokesperson on home affairs
She said, “Search and rescue is not an arbitrary political decision – quite the contrary: it is our moral and legal duty to save people from drowning.”
“It is unacceptable for member states to repeatedly look the other way, as with the recent disaster off the Greek coast, to refuse help and to even criminalise civil society for its assistance.”
“Central to this is our demand for a European coordinated search and rescue mission, which should combine member states’ capacities with the support of Frontex. In addition, NGOs must be allowed to carry out civilian search and rescue missions without fear of criminalisation.”
“With the resolution being adopted, we send a clear signal that member states and the Commission must fully assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities.”
