Proposal for an EU search and rescue programme to the Commission of the European Union
Proposal for an EU search and rescue programme on the occasion of the start of the 8th Commission of the European Union
The EU and its member states are in a downward spiral when it comes to respect for human rights. The European Commission must counteract this trend. Instead of pursuing isolationist policies and undermining the right to asylum, they should learn from past experiences – such as the Italian search and rescue programme Mare Nostrum – and launch an EU-led search and rescue programme in the central Mediterranean. Saving lives at sea is possible – if there is a political will.
To realise such a programme, the civil search and rescue organisation Sea-Watch has written a proposal in form of a brochure. It draws lessons from the past to understand why previous programmes failed and describes how these mistakes can be overcome. The brochure also highlights the legal context of such a programme and proposes concrete measures for its implementation.
SOS Humanity supports this proposal. The EU and its member states must take responsibility for saving lives at their external borders. This requires an effective search and rescue programme, funded and coordinated by EU member states, with sufficient ships deployed for the purpose of search and rescue.
