UN agencies announce agreement on new mechanism over issue of migration by sea

Agencies from the United Nations agreed to set up a new mechanism to improve communication over the issue of migration by sea, which had developed into a humanitarian problem, the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced.

IMO secretary general Koji Sekimizu told journalists at a press conference: "What we are handling is a multi-dimensional problem and we need concerted action."

"The UN alone cannot resolve this matter. The UN can contribute to the efforts of states. States need to take action based on political will," he said.

The United Nations agencies are willing to establish new mechanisms to specifically deal with the issue of migration at sea, said Sekimizu.

Journalists were told that it had been agreed that a mechanism was to be established, to enhance inter-agency communication with respect to the maritime aspects of mixed migration. The meeting is also discussing joint projects, such as the establishment of joint databases to share and collate information and statistics on irregular movements and suspect vessels; quantifying the effects of irregular and unsafe crossings on the shipping industry; and improving maritime situational awareness.

Sekimizu said that there was a "tidal wave of migrants", presenting a significant problem. He said: "It is clear from the statistics that last year we have rescued more than 170,000 people. Unfortunately more than 3000 people died. That clearly indicates the scale of this issue."

Dr Volker Turk, assistant high commissioner (protection), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the imperative to rescue migrants at sea presented a "disproportionate burden on the shipping industry".

This was apparent in the need to re-route ships to pick up migrants in trouble, a humanitarian and legal obligation on the captains and crews of ships, said Turk.

He called for nation states to bear more of the burden and for legal action against smugglers.

"There needs to be much more onus on states in terms of providing a robust search and rescue regime. We need criminal law enforcement against the smugglers and traffickers. We need safer options, alternative pathways for people to come, to Europe for example," said Turk.

Participating in the meeting, which continues until Thursday, are senior representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Interpol.

A High-Level Meeting to Address Unsafe Mixed Migration by Sea was hosted Wednesday at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London to address the issue of migration by sea, especially to Europe, which last year led to more than 170,000 people being rescued and the deaths of more than 3000 people in unsafe, irregular and illegal sea passages on the Mediterranean alone. Endit