Annual Review 2024
In 2024, the Mediterranean remained one of the deadliest borders for people on the move. This year, SOS Humanity carried out seven missions in the Central Mediterranean rescuing 1,822 people in distress at sea and bringing them to a place of safety. These missions show how urgently search and rescue is still needed there.
But our work does not end at sea. On land, we have been demonstrating in favour of a more humane asylum policy to exert pressure on politics. With events, growing press and public relations work in Italy and publications, such as our report ‘Humanity overboard’ or the position paper ‘End the EU’s externalisation policy!’, we have drawn attention to the violations of law and human rights by EU member states or actors financed by the EU.
This overview of the events of 2024 is not just a review of our work and political developments. The chronology is permeated by an appeal for humanity and solidarity and for human rights to be non-negotiable, even at Europe’s external borders.
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Rescued People1822
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Rescued Minors517
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Rescue Operations28
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Volunteer Groups8
Our year in pictures:
Isolation policy of Germany and the EU
Restrictions on refugee protection and asylum, such as the CEAS reform in April 2024, mark the continuation of the migration policy that has led to an increase in human rights violations at Europe’s external borders for years. During heated debates on limiting migration, the German government was adopting the so-called Repatriation Improvement Act, which is intended to penalise humanitarian aid for refugees, including search and rescue, at the external borders. We protested and achieved a partial success. Our petition against the planned criminalisation of search and rescue is particularly successful, with over 137,000 people signing it. SOS Humanity also published the report ‘Humanity overboard’ with its own data and analyses on the ongoing humanitarian emergency in the Mediterranean and, in December, the position paper ‘End the EU’s externalisation policy!’
Unlawful detention
On 4 March, the Humanity 1 was unlawfully detained after the so-called Libyan Coast Guard intervened in a rescue operation with armed force. A civil court in Crotone initially lifted the detention of the Humanity 1 ahead of schedule and later confirmed a final judgement that the detention was unlawful. The court also stated that the Libyan Rescue Coordination Centre and the so-called Libyan Coast Guard cannot be considered legitimate search and rescue actors in the Mediterranean!
Italy-Albania agreement
Italy and Albania have concluded an agreement on the processing of asylum applications from people rescued from distress at sea in new reception centres in Albania, where refugees are detained. The externalisation practice makes it more difficult to monitor legal standards, as Italy detains people seeking protection outside the EU without judicial review. SOS Humanity criticises this violation of international maritime and human rights law and the outsourcing of responsibility and calls for the agreement to be terminated.
Open Ship
As part of the Open Ship event in Syracuse, Sicily, in September 2024, over 500 locals and tourists visited our rescue ship, took part in one of the guided tours offered in many languages and talked to crew members. SOS Humanity also organised a panel discussion on the current humanitarian and political situation in the Central Mediterranean on the ship. Sandro Gallinelli, retired admiral of the Italian Coast Guard, Chiara Denaro, legal expert on migration, and Mirka Schäfer, political spokesperson for SOS Humanity, were taking part.
SOS SESSIONS
The SOS SESSIONS at Metropol Berlin were a special event! The artists Amewu, Mia Morgan, BADCHIEFF, Von Wegen Lisbeth, Mayberg and Rola performed on stage in front of an audience of over 700 people. A unique concert with the message: we stick together! The evening was hosted by Tarek Tesfu, who interviewed our managing director Till Rummenhohl and our political spokesperson Marie Michel on stage about the current political situation and the motivation for their work.
Reading Tatort Mittelmeer
At this year’s charity event Tatort Mittelmeer at Düsseldorf’s Schauspielhaus theatre, prominent actors impressively presented the stories of survivors and crew members. The event was accompanied by music from pianist Aeham Ahmad. We were overwhelmed by the number of spectators and supporters in the sold-out theatre and the many generous donations.
We will keep going!
After this eventful year, we look to the future with hope and determination. Hopeful because, thanks to our partner organisations and donors, we will be able to continue our urgently needed search and rescue operations in 2025 to mark our tenth anniversary. Determined, because despite political challenges, we can continue to count on the support of civil society, which values and promotes our life-saving work. The audience figures at our events this year have impressively underlined this support. Let’s maintain this strength and carry on together: ALL TOGETHER FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE!
