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In theory, the European Union’s border and coast guard agency – Frontex – has all the tools, equipment and mechanisms to rescue boats in distress in the Mediterranean Sea.

In practice, thousands of people die at sea.

Over the past decade, more than 30,000 people are dead or missing in the Mediterranean, making it one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

HRW and others have widely documented that the agency’s practices make them complicit in human rights violations at Europe’s borders and beyond.

As European leaders redouble their efforts As for plans to prevent people from arriving on EU soil, they increasingly place the blame on third countries like Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt, where people face serious abuse.

Currently, when Frontex planes and drones detect boats, the agency alerts rescue coordination centers in EU member states as well as Libya and Tunisia. However, it is not a question systematically inform non-governmental rescue vessels in the area or regularly issue emergency alerts to mobilize all vessels in the vicinity.

In addition to interceptions, forced returns and possible rights violations in third countries such as Tunisia or Libya, the lack of emergency alert can also contribute to avoidable delays and tragic shipwrecks.

What can we do?

HRW launched a new campaigncalling on Frontex to respect its obligations under European and international law and to act #WithHumanity. Because used correctly, the support of Frontex aircraft and drones can help save lives at sea.

Frontex should use its aerial surveillance capacity to ensure the rapid rescue of vessels in distress and, more generally, do everything in its power to ensure that people on board unseaworthy vessels are rescued and rescued. safe.

In our campaign, we ask you to take a closer look to the lives and rights at risk in the Mediterranean Sea and to your shared humanity with those making the crossing, and demand action from the responsible authorities.

The EU must act now to ensure safe and legal routes to Europe.