Security Council Press Statement on Maritime Tragedy in Mediterranean Sea

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):

The members of the Security Council deplored the recent maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea that resulted in up to 500 deaths when an overcrowded boat capsized en route from Libya to Europe.  The members of the Security Council extended their deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.

The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern at the proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, including off the coast of Libya.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the implications for regional stability posed by transnational organized crime and illicit activities, such as human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, and condemned and deplored the said acts which undermine further the process of stabilization of Libya and endanger the lives of people.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need bring the perpetrators of these acts to justice.

The members of the Security Council called for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2240 (2015), which is intended to disrupt the organized criminal enterprises engaged in migrant smuggling and prevent the loss of life.

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong support to countries in the region affected by the smuggling of migrants and emphasized the need to improve coordination of efforts in order to strengthen an effective multilateral response to this common challenge, and in order to protect these vulnerable migrants from being victimized by human traffickers.

The members of the Security Council urged all Member States, including countries of origin, destination and transit, to cooperate with each other and with relevant international and regional organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in addressing illicit migration flows and dismantling smuggling networks in the region.

The members of the Security Council re-emphasized that migrants, including asylum seekers and regardless of their migration status, should be treated with humanity and dignity and that their rights should be fully respected, and again urged all States in this regard to comply with their obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law, as applicable.