
78 people dead and hundreds missing is the fatal account of the tragedy in Pylos, which comes to be added to a multitude of others that have been recorded in the Mediterranean in recent years.
“At SolidarityNow we express our deepest sorrow for the loss of so many lives and our undivided support to the relatives of the victims and the missing. The Mediterranean Sea continues to be the most dangerous passage in Europe for thousands of people, who risk their lives in search of safety”, Marilyn Polena, General Manager.
The absence of safe and legal migration routes forces people to be exposed to conditions of exploitation by traffickers by embarking on journeys that put their lives at risk. The tragedy of Pylos, which ironically took place after the agreement on the two main pillars of asylum and migration reform on June 8th by the Council of Europe, reinstates the need for an agreement on migration and asylum based primarily on the respect for human life.
SolidarityNow argues that the institutions involved should take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and ensure a people-centered immigration and asylum management system. For this purpose, it is considered necessary to create safe and legal migration routes, since the possibility of legal entry into the member states of the European Union will offer people who were forced to leave their homes due to persecution, conflicts, violence, human rights violations, the opportunity to seek protection and safety, thereby reducing the risks associated with illegal immigration.
At the same time, the European Union must introduce an effective and mandatory mechanism of cooperation and solidarity between member states to help host countries face humanitarian challenges. In the context of compliance with international law, Greece, as a border country, is a recipient of migration flows, but has an obligation to respect international law and act with respect for human rights, ensuring fair and effective asylum procedures.
In the context of a people-centered European migration and asylum policy, establishing safe and legal pathways for people on the move is one way.