The European Union can act to prevent and respond to deaths at sea, according to the FRA
Following the recent tragic loss of life off the Greek coast, a short report of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) suggests what the EU should do to prevent more deaths at sea. FRA calls on the European Commission, EU Member States and EU Agencies to act now to prevent future tragedies and save lives.
Every year, in its Fundamental Rights Report, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) provides data on the number of migrants and refugees who die or go missing trying to reach Europe by sea. In the first quarter of 2023, the number of fatalities at sea were highest since 2017. In March 2023, FRA’s Director Michael O’Flaherty identified the need to save lives as the first of five priority actions to address the fundamental rights challenges at the EU’s external borders.
Reducing the death toll in the Mediterranean Sea is complex and requires a comprehensive approach. All relevant states, EU bodies, international organisations and other parties involved can succeed in putting an end to the high death toll in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, the EU and its Member States could take action which does not depend on cooperation with other parties.
The FRA, in this short report, identifies six areas of intervention suggesting several concrete measures to tackle the increasing death toll at sea:
- Prompt, effective and independent investigations
- Improved search and rescue at sea
- Clear disembarkation rules and solidarity for taking charge of rescued people
- Better protection of shipwreck survivors
- Establishing independent border monitoring
- More accessible legal pathways to the EU
For further information on the above-mentioned measures, please read the short report below.