“Acceptance of human rights violations cannot become part of European migration policy”, declared Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović during an exchange organised by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) on Monday, 15 March, on the rescue of migrants in March.
On this occasion, Ms Mijatović presented her report, dated 9 March, on the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12674/29). The text reveals an alarming situation: 26,000 deaths have been documented, and they could have been prevented by adequate arrangements according to the commissioner, who also denounced the 20,000 interceptions and returns to Libya that were permitted by European states, even though serious human rights violations were being committed there.
She clarified that this attitude predates the Covid-19 pandemic, which should not be an excuse. European states bordering the Mediterranean need to act with the support of other Member States.
“From the European Commission’s point of view, search and rescue at sea is a duty according to international law”, declared Nacira Boulehouat, head of unit in the EU institution’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs. She announced the creation of a contact group on this topic, which will hold its first meeting on Monday, 22 March. This group is expected to include Member States and other “relevant players” such as the NGOs represented before the LIBE Committee by Kiri Santer from Alarm Phone.
Questioned by certain MEPs, Dunja Mijatović declared that these associations were taking action because states had shirked their responsibilities and that the allegations of complicity with human smugglers had not been confirmed by any investigation. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)