The migration crisis and the fundamental role of NGOs during search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

Abstract

The dissertation discusses the role played by NGOs in carrying out search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean area from 2014 up to the early 2018. The dissertation begins introducing the issue of the migration crisis and its evolution over the years, then it focuses on the Conventions which rule the rescue operations at sea and the states’ responsibilities within each SAR zone. Subsequently, the non-refoulement principle is introduced since it is the cornerstone of international law on which the Dublin Regulation and its reforms are based and govern the management of migration flows in the Mediterranean area. In order to save life at sea, European states and European agencies undertook numerous operations, but their commitment was not sufficient, thus the NGOs entered into action. The dissertation lists the main NGOs which intervened, focusing also on the accusations they have been subjected to, and the defence they brought against them. Furthermore, the dissertation analyses the two Codes of Conduct which have been set up in order to regulate NGOs’ activities. Finally, it analyses the issues of migrants’ human rights, the legislation which rules their respect, and violations that have occurred within some bilateral agreements and juridical cases. After that, some controversial cases involving NGOs are described. Lastly, the dissertation refers to the removal of the NGOs from the Mediterranean Sea in the late 2018, and the intervention of the Mediterranea organization. The dissertation ends sustaining the thesis that the Mediterranean countries are facing a humanitarian more than a migration crisis, and makes some possible forecasts about the future of NGOs and migrants’ conditions.