Tag: migrants

Transnational maritime crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated as criminal groups exploit jurisdiction and enforcement challenges on the high seas, warned Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, in his briefing to the United Nations Security Council debate on transnational organized crime at sea.

Italian government allowed the rescue boat 'Sea-Watch 3' to dock in Sicily and disembark 47 migrants who were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was previously barred from entering Italian waters for almost two weeks. 

UN Refugee Agency published a report according to which apporximately 2.275 people died or went missing in attempts to cross the Mediterranean in 2018, despite an important decrease in arrivals reaching European shores. Overall, 139.300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, marking the lowest number in five years. The latest 'Desperate Journeys' report, released by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, says six lives were lost on average every day.

Following announcement that a total of 200 migrants have lost their lives worldwide in the first three weeks of 2019, the number now has climbed to 226 for the period 1st-31st January. ECSA criticised Germany's decision to leave Operation Sophia, calling on EU states to “set aside the disputes and decide on how to cope with the refugees rescued in the Mediterranean”.

Over 100 migrants are missing and 38 have died off the coast of Djibouti, after two boats capsized. Djibouti’s coastguard is now searching for survivors, but it is not clear how many migrants might be missing. The overcrowded boats were carrying mainly Ethiopians. The had began on rough seas when they capsized after leaving Djibouti.

Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini, has accused the crew of Sea-Watch 3, a migrant rescue vessel, of 'criminality' for rescuing 47 maritime migrants in the central Mediterranean. For the time being, the Minister considers charges for the crew for 'favouring illegal immigration'. Also, the crew has been prevented from leaving the boat, or local waters, by Italian minister.

In view of Germany’s announcement that it would no longer take part with naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea mission 'Sophia' organised by the EU until further notice, the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) called upon the EU to find a solution to the protracted dispute on how merchant vessels will cope with boat refugees.

A total of 200 migrants are believed to have lost their lives attempting to cross the winter waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the first three weeks of 2019 alone, according to data provided by the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The crew of a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry, deployed to Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, detected a vessel on January 7. Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector San Juan diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez (WPC-1114), who arrived on scene, and embarked 35 migrants. The Coast Guard discovered a backpack with 4 kilograms of heroin floating near the vessel.

Sea-Watch, after being stranded at sea for up to 17 days reported, through Twitter, episodes of people refusing to eat. Yet, on December 8, Sea-Watch gave an update, stating that people started eating again. According to the rescue vessel approximately 49 migrants stranded off the coast of Malta, started eating again after refusing since no European ports offer them a safe port.