The EU must not be complicit in the loss

Joint NGO Statement – 16 June 2023 The EU must not be complicit in the loss of lives at sea and in rights violations at Europe’s borders Once again, dozens of lives have been lost at Europe’s borders due to the EU’s failure to allow people seeking protection to reach Europe safely. [...] Hundreds are missing and presumed dead after the latest tragedy close to the Greek coast, with reports that amongst the dead are many women and children who were held below the deck of this overcrowded fishing vessel. [...] The authorities of several Member States were informed1 of the vessel in distress multiple hours before it capsized, and a Frontex aircraft was also present at the scene2. [...] We urge the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, to finally take a clear stand on the open graveyard at Europe’s land and sea borders, and to hold Member States accountable. [...] The EU should abandon the narrative of blaming shipwrecks on smugglers and stop seeing solutions solely in the dismantling of criminal networks.