A European humanitarian organization has issued a stark warning, declaring 2023 as the worst year for deaths in the Mediterranean due to illegal immigration, with concerns that the numbers may continue to rise.
Marie Michel, a migration policy expert associated with the Italian branch of the German non-governmental organization Sos Humanity, conveyed this troubling information in a statement reported by the Italian news agency AKI on Thursday.
Michel expressed deep concern, stating, “A large number of people have drowned in the central Mediterranean region in 2023 compared to the previous year.”
She criticized the Italian government, claiming that instead of enhancing rescue capabilities, it has worsened the humanitarian catastrophe on the world’s deadliest migration route, hindering the efforts of non-governmental search and rescue organizations.
Michele underscored the impact of a law approved by the Meloni government a year ago, pointing out that currently, 22 NGOs engaged in sea rescue missions, including Médecins Sans Frontières, Sea-Eye, Sea-Watch, SOS Humanity, SOS Méditerranée, and United4Rescue, are collectively drawing attention to the deteriorating conditions faced by migrants.
The humanitarian activist urged the European Union and its member states to abide by international maritime law and human rights, calling for an end to obstructing life-saving work in the Mediterranean.
The aforementioned organizations, in their joint statement, highlighted the grim reality that 2023 witnessed the highest death toll in the central Mediterranean since 2017, with 2,500 people reported drowned or missing.
