Drowning Refugees, Migrants, and Shame at Sea: The EU’s Response: Part I

At the special meeting of the European Council, on 23 April 2015, EU leaders agreed four priority areas of actions the Member States and the EU institutions can take together to address the crisis situation after the death of more than 750 people in the Mediterranean. The Statement of the European Council opens with the acknowledgment that ‘The situation in the Mediterranean is a tragedy.’ This expresses some sympathy, but lacks an acknowledgement of responsibility. EU laws and policies prevent safe access to asylum, thereby creating the demand for the services of smugglers.