Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the European Union (EU), its member states, and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex, to take immediate measures to save lives at sea. In a recent essay published on February 25, 2025, HRW highlights the urgent need for action, emphasizing the critical situation in the Mediterranean, which remains the deadliest route for migrants. This plea comes amidst allegations of the EU’s harsh anti-migration policies contributing to the mortality rate in the region. For more details, see the HRW essay.
Judith Sutherland, HRW’s associate director for Europe and Central Asia, expressed that the EU must uphold its fundamental values by prioritizing search and rescue operations at sea and ensuring that disembarkations occur in safe locations. The essay draws attention to the operations of Geo Barents, a rescue ship run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), as a noteworthy effort in this context. The necessity of humanitarian assistance is underscored as the EU’s policies have at times supported authorities in countries such as Libya in intercepting and returning migrants, where they face dire and often inhumane conditions. Additional insights can be found in HRW’s recent report.
Cooperation with nations like Tunisia and Lebanon for border management has further complicated the situation, according to HRW. In light of the over 400 migrant deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean in the past three months, HRW has reiterated its campaign #WithHumanity. This initiative advocates for Frontex to use aerial surveillance to aid in rescuing at-risk vessels and notify nongovernmental rescue entities when necessary. For more context on the numbers, refer to the International Organization for Migration data.
The current circumstances demand a reevaluation of migration policies that lead to life-threatening journeys and place the responsibility of ensuring safety and humanity back into the hands of the EU and its member states.