Draft resolution
1The Parliamentary Assembly expresses its utmost concern
about the ongoing humanitarian plight of irregular migrants in the
Mediterranean Sea. The dramatic increase in the death toll over
the last weeks has become a matter of urgency which should be addressed
without further delay.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, paragraph 1, after the words "irregular migrants", insert the following words:
"and refugees".
2In 2014, the total number of irregular migrants who crossed
the Mediterranean Sea amounted to over 210 000, including 170 000
arrivals in Italy. At the same time, 3 500 people perished at sea.
Over the first three months of 2015, respective figures amount to
over 30 000 arrivals and 1 500 drowned at sea. Regrettably, each day
brings new dramatic reports.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, paragraph 2, after the words "irregular migrants", insert the following words:
"and refugees".
3Much of the loss of life in the Mediterranean is due to the
methods used by the smugglers who organise maritime transport: to
minimise costs, the boats used are often unseaworthy, and to maximise
profit, they are always severely overcrowded; basic safety equipment
is inadequate or completely lacking; there is insufficient food
and water available for passengers; and often the smugglers abandon
the boat on the high seas, leaving the migrants to rely on their
own minimal ability to navigate and the hope of being rescued by
the public authorities.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 3 with the following paragraph:
"The lack of legal ways for refugees to move across Europe makes them dependent on dangerous routes and has already caused the loss of thousands of lives. Smugglers exploit the vulnerable position of refugees by putting their lives at risk. The boats used are often unseaworthy and, to maximise profit, they are always severely overcrowded; basic safety equipment is inadequate or completely lacking; there is insufficient food and water available for passengers; and often the smugglers themselves abandon the boat on the high seas, leaving the migrants to rely on their own minimal ability to navigate, and the hope of being rescued by public authorities."
4It has to be recognised that the present increased death toll
is partly a consequence of the termination of the Italian search
and rescue Mare Nostrum operation due to the lack of solidarity
from countries of the European Union, which has not been living
up to its responsibilities, and its replacement with the European Union
Triton operation with a narrower mandate and much smaller human,
budgetary and logistical resources. On the other hand, one cannot
ignore the side effects of the Mare Nostrum operation which for
many observers is thought to have contributed to the increased flows
of seaborne migrants setting out from North Africa.
(If adopted, amendment 4 falls)
Tabled by Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Paolo CORSINI, Mr Francesco Maria GIRO, Mr Claudio FAZZONE, Mr Vannino CHITI, Mr Ferdinando AIELLO, Mr Khalid CHAOUKI, Mr Manlio DI STEFANO, Ms Maria Edera SPADONI
In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 4 with the following paragraph:
"It has to be recognised that the present increase in the death toll is partly a consequence of the lack of solidarity by countries of the European Union, that have not been living up to their responsibilities, and have not provided adequate support for the Italian search and rescue Mare Nostrum operation. Due to this lack of solidarity, the Mare Nostrum operation has been replaced with the EU Triton operation, which has a narrower mandate and much smaller and inadequate human, budgetary and logistical resources."
(Falls if amendment 13 is adopted)
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, paragraph 4, delete the last sentence.
5The sharp increase in the number of arrivals once again puts
into question the Dublin Regulation according to which the whole
responsibility for receiving and processing irregular migrants and
asylum seekers is laid upon a limited number of receiving countries,
Italy in particular, but also Malta, Spain and Greece, as well as
raising questions about the relevance of the present asylum law
and procedures.
6The situation is not likely to settle down in the near future.
Armed conflicts and instability, persecution based on ethnic or
religious grounds and extreme poverty in Africa and the Middle East
will continue to generate large numbers of migrants, refugees and
asylum seekers. Estimated figures refer to 70 000 people waiting
for boats on the Libyan coast. Turkey alone has received some 2
million people fleeing the war in Syria and Iraq.
7The recent declarations of the leaders of the terrorist organisation
known as “Islamic State” announcing their intention to smuggle their
own people in amongst the flows of refugees, tasked with committing
terrorist attacks in Europe, have raised legitimate questions about
security.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 7.
8The recent tragic incident when, as a result of a fight which
broke out on one of the boats, nine migrants of Christian origin
were thrown overboard by passengers of Muslim confession, coupled
with recent reports about the killing of 27 Christian migrants by
the so-called “Islamic State” on the Libyan coast, raises very serious
concerns about the threat of transposing religious and ethnic conflicts
onto European soil.
(If adopted, amendment 14 falls)
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 8.
Tabled by Mr Manlio DI STEFANO, Ms Maria Edera SPADONI, Ms Nunzia CATALFO, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU
In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 8.
(Falls if amendment 6 is adopted)
Tabled by Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Andreas GROSS, Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Mr Philippe MAHOUX, Mr Jacob LUND
In the draft resolution, paragraph 8, before the word "thrown" insert the word "allegedly" and delete the following words:
"about the threat of transposing religious and ethnic conflicts onto European soil".
9The Assembly is of the opinion that the key challenge is to
reduce the number of people setting off on a dangerous sea journey.
It is crucial to identify and address ways to decrease migratory
pressures in the countries of origin and transit.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9 with the following paragraph:
"The Assembly is of the opinion that the key challenge is to ensure that no lives are lost, access to international protection is safeguarded, and that the root causes that make people flee their countries are tackled."
10The Assembly therefore calls on the member States of the European
Union to adopt a comprehensive approach to deal with mixed migratory
flows across the Mediterranean, with a view to carrying out an urgent and
concerted action, and in particular to:
10.1strengthen, as a matter of urgency, search and rescue
operations at sea, with increased contributions from all member
States;
10.2adopt effective measures and co-ordinate common action
at European level in the combat against human traffickers and smugglers;
10.3to review the Dublin Regulation with a view to sharing
responsibility for receiving and processing irregular migrants and
asylum seekers;
Tabled by Mr Manlio DI STEFANO, Ms Maria Edera SPADONI, Ms Nunzia CATALFO, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Vannino CHITI, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU
In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 10.3 with the following paragraph:
"review the Dublin Regulation with a view to sharing responsibility and costs for receiving and processing irregular migrants and asylum seekers, with quotas for their distribution throughout the European Union member States determined by each country's population and economic resources;"
10.4increase legal alternative migration channels, including
resettlement, facilitated access to family reunification and other
protection entry mechanisms advocated by the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
10.5step up humanitarian aid and development projects in the
countries of transit and origin with a view to improving standards
of living in these countries and help to develop capacity and institution building
in countries of transit and of first asylum with a view to alleviating
migration pressure;
Tabled by Mr Manlio DI STEFANO, Ms Maria Edera SPADONI, Ms Nunzia CATALFO, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU
In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 10.5, add the following words:
"These activities should be mainly the responsibility of those countries which have directly undermined the stability of the affected countries."
10.6enhance co-operation, including administrative, judicial
and investigative co-operation with the countries of origin and
transit, in particular on the southern shore of the Mediterranean
Sea;
10.7ensure access to asylum for those in need of international
protection by introducing the possibility of external application
processing and, to this end, thoroughly review, if necessary, asylum
policies.
11The Assembly welcomes the 10-point conclusions of the European
Union Council of Ministers of 20 April 2015 introducing short-term
measures aimed at handling some of the challenges with regard to
irregular migration in the Mediterranean and the decision to convene
an extraordinary European Union summit today. However, the Assembly
considers that the measures announced are utterly insufficient and
expects the comprehensive European Union Agenda on Migration, due
to be announced in May, to address the issues mentioned in the previous
paragraph.
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Ms Antigoni LYMPERAKI, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, paragraph 11, replace the word "conclusions" with the following words:
"action plan on migration".
Tabled by Ms Vasiliki KATRIVANOU, Mr Dimitris VITSAS, Mr Ögmundur JÓNASSON, Mr Tiny KOX, Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Mr Nazmi GÜR, Mr Matjaž HANŽEK, Mr George LOUCAIDES, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Ms Tineke STRIK, Mr Eric VORUZ, Mr Luc RECORDON, Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Ms Tina GHASEMI, Mr Olof LAVESSON, Ms Carina OHLSSON, Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON
In the draft resolution, paragraph 11, in the first sentence, delete the word "irregular".
