Why experts fear the EU’s new migration laws could lead to more deaths at sea

Just over a decade after a boat carrying migrants from Libya to Italy tragically sank near Lampedusa, another vessel capsized in the same waters, claiming the lives of nine people, including a baby. This latest tragedy occurred on the very same day the European Parliament approved a new package of migration and asylum laws. While intended to be a solution, experts fear these laws could worsen the plight of migrants and lead to even more deaths at sea.

The EU's Grand Migration Plan

This landmark pact, years in the making, aims to overhaul the EU's approach to immigration. Key features include:

• Border processing centers: Migrants will be held in these centers while their asylum requests are processed within a five-day timeframe.
• Shared responsibility: Instead of mandatory quotas, countries can choose to participate in relocation programs, offer financial contributions, or provide logistical assistance to frontline states like Italy, Greece, and Malta.

A History of Deteriorating Conditions

Despite international law requiring the rescue of people in distress at sea, the reality has been grim. Search and rescue operations have faced increasing hostility from EU member states in recent years. Rescue ships operated by NGOs have been forced to travel vast distances to disembark migrants, wasting valuable resources and time.

Why Experts Fear the Pact Could Make Things Worse

Several aspects of the new pact raise concerns:

• Lack of Search and Rescue Focus: The pact fails to address the crucial need for a unified, EU-led search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean.
• Detention and Unclear Responsibilities: The pact establishes detention systems for irregular arrivals and lacks clear guidelines on financial compensation and rescue responsibilities.
• Outsourcing to Countries with Troubled Records: Partnering with countries like Libya and Tunisia, known for human rights abuses against migrants, for migration control raises serious concerns about safety and potential further violence.

A Push Towards More Dangerous Routes

Stricter border controls and detention systems could push migrants towards even more perilous journeys, exposing them to increased violence and exploitation by smugglers. This, in turn, could embolden these criminal networks to further exploit desperate individuals.

The Mediterranean: A Graveyard in the Making?

The pact, while aiming to solve the migration crisis, might inadvertently create more problems. With thousands of lives already lost at sea, the potential for further tragedies under these new regulations is a chilling prospect.

Instead of focusing solely on border control, the EU needs a more humane approach that prioritizes search and rescue efforts, ensures clear responsibilities, and avoids partnerships with countries with questionable human rights records. Only then can we hope to prevent the Mediterranean from becoming an even larger graveyard for those seeking a better life.

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