LIBE committee discusses the obligations of the European Union in Search and Rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea

In the light of last week’s agreement on a new, temporary relocation system, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the European Parliament organised a hearing on October 3rd on the topic of ‘Search and Rescue in the Mediterranean Sea’. The debate touched upon core issues of the EU’s obligation, both legally and morally, to rescue people at sea. The debate precedes a renewed member state discussion about refugee relocation on 8 October.

Five EU member states agree on new temporary relocation scheme to share responsibility of migrants and refugees rescued at Sea

On September 23, the interior ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Finland and Malta agreed on a temporary and voluntary scheme to divide migrants that arrive or are saved from the Mediterranean Sea among the five countries, outside of an EU framework. The proposal aims at relieving Italy and Malta from the high number of migrants and refugees that are arriving at their ports and moves away from the actions of the previous Italian government led by Matteo Salvini, who forbade several rescue boats to dock in Italy. The five countries hope that the scheme may set up an EU-wide relocation scheme that can increase the efficiency of resettling those rescued at sea.

News Highlights: IGAD discusses migration, 5 EU interior ministers agree on temporary relocation system, new migration routes in Tunisia difficult to detect

In this week’s news highlights: Seven East-African Ministers lament shrinking of protection for refugees worldwide; EU should pressure Eritrea, states commentary; Water shortage in Asmara; Military cooperation Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates advances; IOM to assist in improving Ethiopia and South Sudan migration policies; Ethiopia and Somalia among African countries with most internally displaced people; 5 European interior ministers create new relocation policy; Eritrean diaspora Yiakl movement protests against regime; Right-wing movement patrolling UK beaches; CEO of IRC argues that the EU should send signal of solidarity; Tunisia boat departures may be harder to detect; Migrant shot by Libyan coast guard; and the UN General Assembly on Libya.