The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR on Monday said states must show "decisive leadership" to end the ordeal of 49 rescued migrants and refugees - including young children - currently stranded in the Mediterranean by allowing them to land at a safe European port.
“Decisive leadership is required, in line with fundamental values of humanity and compassion, to offer safe disembarkation and bring the 49 safely to land,” said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean.
“Negotiations on which states will subsequently receive them must come only after they are safely ashore,” Cochetel said.
A total 32 people have been on board the German charity vessel Sea Watch 3 vessel since 22 December, while a further 17 were picked up by the German-based rescue charity Sea Eye on 29 December.
"Time is increasingly of the essence. Rough seas are expected in the coming hours and conditions on the boats are likely to deteriorate," UNHCR warned.
In 2019, governments need to agree on a system that gives rescue ship captains "clarity and predictability" on where migrants can disembark, to prevent hundreds being stuck at sea, the UN agency said.
More than 2,240 people have either died or gone missing at sea trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean this year, despite a sharp overall drop in the number of arrivals, UNHCR said.
"UNHCR commends the work of NGO search and rescue vessels for their critical role towards preventing the death toll from being far higher," the agency stated.
.jpg)
