Borders of (In)humanity

The Central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest escape routes. But instead of standing up for the rights of people on the move and against deaths at sea, the EU continues to focus on compartmentalisation and the externalisation of refugee protection. This is at the expense of people on the move, as our report ‘Borders of (In)Humanity’ shows.

 

Full report 

Four people on board the HUmanity 1 looking to the near shore of Italy.
Ange* (Survivor)
Humans don’t take to the water if there’s no danger behind them.
An empty white boat on the blue Mediterranean Sea that was probably intercepted.
Buba* (Survivor)
In Libya, not even your dead body is safe.
Gigi* (Survivor)
They took us to prison, they tormented, they beat us. People even died in the prison.
Humanity 1 strahlt auf Boot mit Flüchtenden in der Nacht
Darius* (Survivor)
They sell people like they would sell bread.

64 reports from survivors on board the rescue ship Humanity 1 were analysed for this paper. They report on serious human rights violations in Libya, Tunisia and on the Mediterranean, the life-threatening crossing and what they hope for from a life in Europe.

Mohamed* and Abdul*, for example, tell of an escape attempt in which they were forcibly stopped by the so-called Libyan Coast Guard and forced back to Libya. There they were imprisoned together with old men, children and a pregnant woman. Their clothes, money and all their belongings were taken away.
Mohamed* and Abdul* (survivors)
‘If you want to see hell, go to Libya.’

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. All reports confirm the inhumane conditions in Libya and Tunisia. By supporting the so-called Libyan and Tunisian Coast Guards and outsourcing asylum procedures to third countries, the EU is contributing significantly to this cycle of violence.

Lisa Bogerts / SOS Humanity

This is expensive in lives and money. The EU spent 242,083,333 € for border management in the last 10 years. Operating our rescue ship the Humanity 1 on the other hand costs  42,705,000 €.

With the ‘Borders of (In)Humanity’ report, we want to draw attention to abuses and bring about change. The EU and its member states must take responsibility for the deaths in the Mediterranean!

A red life jacket in the waves of the central Mediterranean
Wanda Proft / SOS Humanity
Our demands to the EU and its member states
Search and rescue is a duty!

The EU must fulfil its duty to rescue people at sea and comply with international law.

End externalisation policy!

The EU must end all co-operation with Tunisia and Libya in the area of search and rescue that lead to human rights violations.

Introduce a European search rescue programme!

We need a European-coordinated and state-funded search and rescue programme.

Take responsibility!

We demand that the German government take a stand against the externalisation of asylum and end its support for the Tunisian Coast Guard.

Do you also want to take action against the EU’s externalisation policy and stand up for the protection of refugees? Join us as a regular donor and become a vital part of SOS Humanity’s mission. Even with a small monthly contribution, you can make a big difference for more humanity.

 

Donate now!

Browse through the report 'Borders of (In)humanity'!


Report_BordersOf(In)humanity_SOSHumanity_2025_Web

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