With their joint Press Release, the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) call for urgent and decisive action to “prevent further deaths at sea following the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean, the worst in recent years”, as they argue .

The two organizations also state that: “While the number of people on board the boat that capsized on June 14 in the sea off Greece is not clear, it is estimated according to various testimonies to be between 400 and 750 people. So far 104 people have been rescued and 78 dead have been recovered, while hundreds are still missing, feared dead” and that “The vessel is reported to have been in distress since the morning of June 13. A large-scale search and rescue operation was announced on the morning of June 14 by the Coast Guard of the Hellenic Coast Guard, after the vessel capsized,” while stressing that the duty to rescue people in distress at sea without delay is a fundamental rule of the international navy. of law “Both masters and States have an obligation to render assistance to those in distress at sea regardless of their nationality, status or circumstances, including those on unseaworthy vessels, and regardless of the intentions of those on board “, even emphasizing that “any action related to search and rescue should be conducted in a manner consistent with the obligation to prevent loss of life at sea”.

UNHCR and IOM both welcome the investigations ordered in Greece into the circumstances that ultimately led to the capsize of the boat and the loss of so many lives.

“The EU must put security and solidarity at the heart of its action in the Mediterranean. As there are increased movements of refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean, it is vital in order to save human lives that there are collective efforts, such as greater coordination between all Mediterranean states, solidarity and responsibility sharing, as reflected in the EU Pact on Migration and ‘ Asylum. Doing so should also include the establishment of a jointly agreed regional disembarkation and redistribution mechanism for people arriving by sea, which we continue to support,” said Gillian Triggs, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Protection.

“It is clear that the current approach to the Mediterranean is not effective. Year after year, it continues to be the most dangerous migration route in the world, with the highest mortality rate. States must come together and address gaps in proactive search and rescue, rapid disembarkation and safe migration pathways. These collective efforts should have the human rights of migrants and saving lives at the center of any action,” said Federik Soda, Director of IOM’s Emergency Department.