URGENT CALL ON THE EU AND EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO ALLOW THE FISHING VESSEL “NUESTRA MADRE LORETO” TO DISEMBARK IN A SAFE HARBOUR IN THE EU
We are risking to witness another tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea. A Spanish fishing vessel, “Nuestra Madre Loreto”, remained stuck for days out at sea after rescuing 12 people from a rubber dinghy that left Libya to reach European coasts.
No EU Country has agreed so far to allow the Spanish vessel to dock and negotiations are probably ongoing to return the migrants, who might be in need for international protection, back to Libya.
According to the UNHCR and the EU Commission Libya is not a safe country. Therefore it cannot be considered a safe harbour for disembarkation. It has never signed the Geneva Convention on Refugees and International media and organisations reported systematic violation of human rights in the detention centers for migrants.
While waiting for the authorization to dock, weather conditions are worsening and the boat is quickly running out of essential goods, food and fuel. We are also running out of time: we urgently need a wise solution, in full respect of the International and European law, including the SAR Convention. European governments cannot ask to the Spanish vessel to infringe the principle of non-refoulement.
We call on the European governments to fully respect International law and the SAR Convention and give a safe harbours to the “Nuestra Madre Loreto”, in order to avoid another tragedy in the Mediterranean. We also call on the European Commission to take a clear stand and to facilitate an urgent solution.
This is an open appeal, we ask everyone to share it and demand our governments to respect human rights and show solidarity to people in distress at sea.
No EU Country has agreed so far to allow the Spanish vessel to dock and negotiations are probably ongoing to return the migrants, who might be in need for international protection, back to Libya.
According to the UNHCR and the EU Commission Libya is not a safe country. Therefore it cannot be considered a safe harbour for disembarkation. It has never signed the Geneva Convention on Refugees and International media and organisations reported systematic violation of human rights in the detention centers for migrants.
While waiting for the authorization to dock, weather conditions are worsening and the boat is quickly running out of essential goods, food and fuel. We are also running out of time: we urgently need a wise solution, in full respect of the International and European law, including the SAR Convention. European governments cannot ask to the Spanish vessel to infringe the principle of non-refoulement.
We call on the European governments to fully respect International law and the SAR Convention and give a safe harbours to the “Nuestra Madre Loreto”, in order to avoid another tragedy in the Mediterranean. We also call on the European Commission to take a clear stand and to facilitate an urgent solution.
This is an open appeal, we ask everyone to share it and demand our governments to respect human rights and show solidarity to people in distress at sea.
Marina Albiol, Sergio Cofferati, Eleonora Forenza, Ska Keller, Elly Schlein, Miguel Urban Crespo, Ernerst Urtasun, Gabriele Zimmer (Members of European Parliament)
