Regulations governing the EU’s border and coast guard agency Frontex need to be urgently revised if Europe is to avoid a repeat of last year’s tragedy off the coast of Greece, in which around 600 people are believed to have died, an official study has found. It turned out that.
In one of the worst disasters in the Mediterranean in recent years, the dangerously crowded fishing trawler Adriana capsized and sank near the island of Pylos late on June 14, en route from Libya to Italy. Just 104 survivors were rescued and 82 bodies were recovered after the ship, estimated to have carried more than 750 people, sank off the coast of the Peloponnese.
After the disaster, both Frontex and the Hellenic Coast Guard faced criticism for failing to assist those on board. Frontex did not issue a mayday call as the ship remained in distress for several hours, slowly sinking as frightened passengers desperately called for help.
Survivors later said they believed the Greek coast guard capsized the Adriana by towing it out to sea with a rope, but Greek authorities dispute this claim.
On Wednesday, EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly submitted a report criticizing Greece’s response and highlighting Frontex’s limitations in protecting EU rights and obligations during salvage operations under the current regulatory framework.
“Frontex has a duty to help save lives at sea, but it lacks the tools to do so…This is clearly an issue for EU MPs,” O’Reilly said. “If Frontex lacks the resources necessary for this important task, there is an urgent need for EU legislators to address this issue.”
she asked: “Reports of overcrowding, an apparent lack of life jackets, children on board, and possible deaths explained why a timely rescue operation that could have saved hundreds of lives was not initiated.” ?”
Writing in the Guardian on Wednesday, Mr O’Reilly said Frontex was a coast guard in name only and was not fulfilling its responsibilities.
“frontex, the EU’s largest and best-resourced agency is called the Border and “Coast Guard” agency, but its mandate strictly limits its “search and rescue” role to search and surveillance only. The power to save lives and take action in the specific situation of rescue at sea rests primarily with EU Member States. ”
It added: “The agency has reportedly witnessed or is aware of violations of fundamental rights related to migrants’ attempts to reach Europe, and how it takes this knowledge into account in its work.” states that there are restrictions,” he added.
Mr. O’Reilly was also highly critical of Greece’s response. According to documents examined during her investigation, Frontex made four separate offers to assist Greek authorities in aerial surveillance of Adriana, but received no response. Under current rules, Frontex was prohibited from boarding boats without Greek permission.
“Our investigation shows that for most of the period between Adriana’s sighting and its capsize, Frontex had to stand by ineffectively, as Greek authorities did not give permission to take further measures. “The agency has a legal obligation to comply with the orders and instructions of the coordinating national authority,” she said.
“According to documents examined by my office, repeated calls from the Warsaw-based agency to the Greek Rescue Coordination Center offering assistance went unanswered. Frontex drone offered to assist Adriana was diverted to another case by the Greek authorities.
Frontex did not issue a mayday relay because Adriana was not in “immediate danger” when it was first sighted, she added. He said the EU had acted in accordance with legal rules and procedures, “but a review of these rules shows that even though the EU has repeatedly stated that saving lives is the EU’s priority, “We have found that we are unable to go far enough to meet the EU’s commitment to save lives.” ”
The tragedy comes as countries such as Greece and Italy tighten border security in response to migrants arriving via the Mediterranean.
The EU has since announced new regulations aimed at distributing acceptance responsibilities among member states and facilitating the deportation of irregular migrants.
Critics, including prominent rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, say the changes are a step toward strengthening the “European stronghold.”
In response to the Ombudsman’s report, the European Commission acknowledged its contents and pledged to carry out a thorough evaluation.
Frontex welcomed the recognition that the Ombudsman had followed all laws and procedures in alerting the Greek and Italian authorities.
The assessment by Frontex’s Fundamental Human Rights Officer said it “confirmed the appropriate implementation of search and rescue operations, as well as compliance with international law and the adequacy of support to national authorities.”
While Greece is conducting its own investigation into the Adriana tragedy, Mr O’Reilly said an independent body would scrutinize the role played by Frontex, the Greek Coast Guard and the European Commission in ensuring compliance with European rights standards. pointed out that it does not exist.
