IMO Say All Mediterranean States Have SAR Obligations

Submitted by Myghal Map Serpren on December 12, 2014 - 9:43pm

This published by the Celtic League:

IMO Say All Mediterranean States Have SAR Obligations

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The International Maritime Organisation has responded to the Celtic League enquiry about European Union statements that its member States would ‘scale down’ their Search and Rescue operations aimed at targeting migrants from Africa who attempt the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea, often in unsuitable and unsafe craft.

The EU position had been criticised by both migrant welfare groups and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Migrants Rights, Francois Crepeau.

See link here:

http://www.celticleague.net/news/imo-queried-on-members-obligations/

“5th December 2005

Dear Mr Moffatt.

On behalf of the Secretary-General, I am writing in response to your letter dated 3rd of December to inform you that this Organisation does not make comments on alleged European Union positions on Search and rescue in the Mediterranean Sea. You may wish to note all the European Coastal States of the Mediterranean Sea are Contracting governments to the SAR Convention.

A Window
Assistant Secretary General
Director Maritime Safety Division”

The (albeit) brief reply from Assistant SG Winbow makes it clear all Coastal States of the Mediterranean Sea have to meet their rights under the SAR Convention.

The Celtic League has thanked the IMO for the speedy response to our query.

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information

07/12/14

(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.)
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