Rescue of 730,000 Refugees and Migrants in the Mediterranean Over Four Years

Recent estimates from the European Union indicate that since 2015, this institution has assisted in the rescue of nearly 730,000 illegal refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. German newspapers and news agencies have published this report citing the European Commission. According to German newspapers quoting a letter written by Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU's senior migration official, "saving lives" of refugees and migrants remains the main priority of this institution. Mr. Avramopoulos stated in his letter to the Union that non-governmental organizations have played a "key role" in rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. This European official mentioned that the actions of these non-governmental groups should not be considered criminal; however, he emphasized that all those participating in rescue operations must adhere to international laws and standards and should not allow their actions to facilitate human trafficking and the profits derived from it. Currently, the European Union has halted the deployment of naval forces for the "Sophia" operation in the Mediterranean due to disagreements among its members; this operation aimed to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. The Italian government has opposed the continuation of this operation until other EU members agree to accept a larger number of migrants and refugees, while some countries fundamentally oppose resettling refugees in their territories. Despite the rescue of many refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean, thousands continue to lose their lives each year attempting to cross the sea to reach Europe. The United Nations stated last November that since the beginning of 2018, over two thousand migrants have died while crossing the Mediterranean, with half of the victims heading to Italy. In 2017, more than 3,100 people lost their lives, and in 2016 this number exceeded five thousand. In previous years, some of the deadliest maritime disasters occurred during the transfer or trafficking of migrants in the Mediterranean. For instance, in the spring of 2015, a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of northern Libya, and out of 700 passengers, only about 30 were rescued.