The complexities of migration, as a humanitarian challenge, were discussed on Monday, 30 October, at a meeting hosted by the IMO, bringing together representatives of UN agencies, the maritime industry and European Union naval forces.
Read moreIMO attended the high-level UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants in New York as a number of its treaties include provisions relating to migration by sea. These include SOLAS Chapter V on Safety of Navigation, which requires the master of a ship at sea able to provide assistance to persons that are in distress at sea.
Read moreUNHRC has recently announced that 200,000 migrants and refugees have landed in Greece since the beginning of 2015
Read moreOn average 1,000 refugees are now arriving on the Greek islands every day creating an unprecedented emergency for Greece and other countries
Read moreUrgent action is needed to prevent huge losses of life at sea given the forecast increase in unsafe mixed migration by sea, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed, following a special session on the issue (9 June). The MSC commended the efforts of rescue services, merchant vessels and others in saving lives. But it condemned the actions of the people smugglers. The MSC agreed that greater focus needs to be placed on addressing unsafe migration by sea through more safe and regular migration pathways. It was agreed that the issue of unsafe mixed migration by sea should be placed on the agenda of the MSC and other IMO bodies in order to further discuss the matter and develop actions.IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu told the MSC the situation was a truly humanitarian crisis which was not sustainable. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, addressing the MSC via video message, said this global issue required everyone to work together with a comprehensive approach, which would protect human rights, uphold international law and recognize the benefits of migration. Also addressing the special session were representatives of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization ...
Read moreThe updated and revised Rescue at Sea: A guide to principles and practice as applied to refugees and migrants is now available
Read moreESC Global Security has warned that only those commercial ships operating with security personnel onboard should assist in rescuing seaborne refugee
Read moreHRAS has become aware through direct reporting to the organisation of the emerging issue of trafficked persons and migrants abandoned at sea
Read moreIMO's Alper Keceli brought INTERTANKO up to date on the latest developments regarding unsafe, mixed migration by sea
Read moreECSA, ETF, ICS and ITF issued a joint statement to address humanitarian crisis
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