New Frontex operation ‘not fit for purpose’ – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has said it is “deeply alarmed “ by Italy’s announcement that Operation Mare Nostrum will be coming to an end, to be replaced with Frontex’s Operation Triton in the Central Mediterranean.

“There is a real risk that further lives of migrants and refugees will be lost at sea”, said the organisation.

Italy’s Interior Minister Angelino Alfano had announced that Operation Mare Nostrum would end following this week’s European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg. Ministers met to discuss managing migration to Europe, focusing on external border management mechanisms including Frontex’s Operation Triton.

“One can only question how many lives will be saved by an operation with a border surveillance mandate,” Nicolas J. Beger, director for Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, said. “Until the EU commits to and configures a collective operation that matches or even surpasses Mare Nostrum’s actions, Amnesty International urges Italy to continue its search and rescue operation to save lives; but this time with meaningful support from all of the member states.”

The European Commission’s August announcement to launch Operation Triton to support Italy’s search and rescue efforts was widely seen as the first sign of an EU-wide wake-up call and collective response to the ongoing tragedies in the Central Mediterranean.

One year ago 500 people drowned off Lampedusa in what Amnesty described as “horrific shipwrecks”. Italy responded with a search and rescue operation costing 9 million Euro per month. The operation successfully saved the lives of 140,000 people in one year. 

Operation Triton has only committed in the region of €3 million per month,  two-thirds less than Operation Mare Nostrum. It will also be closer to Italian shores, and has border monitoring as its remit.

“With the arrival of 165,000 refugees and migrants this year alone through the Central Mediterranean, half of them from Syria and Eritrea, it is clear that people will continue to take this dangerous route in search of safety and sanctuary. It is also clear that search and rescue efforts are desperately needed. For despite Italy’s best efforts, tragically, more than 3000 people are already estimated to have died at sea this year”

Amnesty International urged the EU to take a long-term, holistic and shared approach to managing migratory flows to Europe. The organisation suggested various measures such as an increase in resettlement quotas, wider access to humanitarian visas, and facilitating family reunification.

“The EU must ensure a collective and concerted response to a shared responsibility. Italy must continue sea rescues but cannot do it alone,” said Beger. “Operation Triton quite simply is not the answer. Until a comprehensive effort is on the table, with sufficient capabilities and resources, this two-thirds net reduction in search and rescue functions will only put lives at risk.”