Migrant boat tragedy in the Mediterranean
EU needs to finally take responsibility for migrants at risk
Commenting on the tragic boat accident in the Mediterranean, near Lampedusa, which has left at least 82 migrants dead, Green migration policy spokesperson Ska Keller said:
"This latest tragedy in the Mediterranean must be the final wake up call for EU governments to finally take responsibility for migrants at risk. EU governments have consistently blocked attempts to introduce measures ensuring they do more to assist migrant boats in distress, for example under the new EU border surveillance system (EUROSUR), which will be adopted by the EP next week. It is now high time they stopped blocking such measures: we cannot simply sit on our hands and watch more innocent migrants lose their lives.
"New EU rules on the surveillance of external sea borders are currently under discussion in the European Parliament and Council but EU governments are again pushing for limited provisions for assistance in the case of emergencies. This position is not acceptable. Under EUROSUR, EU member states will have to inform other member states and FRONTEX if they are aware of refugees in distress. However, there is no requirement to increase the use of patrol boats in areas that are dangerous for refugees. This must be immediately redressed and EU governments must finally take their responsibility to prevent these avoidable tragedies off Europe's coast."
