The European Ombudsperson, Emily O’Reilly, is advocating for significant changes to European Union (EU) regulations governing the EU’s border and coastguard agency in light of the tragic migrant shipwreck off the coast of Greece in June last year.
O’Reilly’s report, unveiled on Wednesday, highlighted the inadequacy of current EU rules on search and rescue missions at sea and emphasized the need for reform in the wake of the inquiry into the actions of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.
“The investigation was prompted by the devastating loss of life when the fishing trawler ‘Adriana’ sank near Pylos, Greece, in June 2023, resulting in the deaths of 600 people. Despite Frontex’s attempts to provide aerial monitoring assistance, Greek authorities did not respond, and the ship ultimately sank with only a fraction of the passengers rescued after the shipwreck.”
According to O’Reilly’s findings, Frontex’s reliance on member states for operational decisions poses significant challenges to fulfilling its obligations to safeguard fundamental rights and save lives at sea. She called on Frontex to reconsider its operations in EU countries where cooperation with national authorities might compromise its duties.
The report also urged the European Parliament, European Commission, and European Council to launch an independent inquiry into the tragedy and the broader issue of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean. While Greece is conducting its own investigation, concerns remain about the lack of an independent body to assess the roles played by Frontex, the Greek coastguard, and the European Commission.
O’Reilly’s call for reform underscores the pressing need for systemic changes to ensure the effective and humane management of EU borders and maritime operations, particularly in the context of ongoing migration challenges in the region.