Saving the lives of migrants at sea and protecting their human rights

Recommendation 2298 (2025)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 26 June 2025 (25th sitting) (see Doc. 16195, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paulo Pisco). Text adopted by the Assembly on 26 June 2025 (25th sitting).

1. The Parliamentary Assembly, referring to its Resolution 2612 (2025) “Saving the lives of migrants at sea and protecting their human rights” and noting the challenges posed by the continuous humanitarian crisis in European waters caused by some member States disregarding international maritime and humanitarian law, recalls the principles by which Council of Europe member States are bound and their collective legal obligations in this area, and stresses the need for enhanced action by the Organisation to support States in this field.

2. The Assembly invites the Committee of Ministers to support by all possible means the development and operationalisation of the future action plan on migration and refugees (2026-2029), currently being prepared under the co-ordination of the Division on Migration and Refugees, which may include the provision of guidance and assistance to member States to ensure and promote human rights in the context of border control operations, and the enhancement of effective administrative and judicial investigations into violations of Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5).

3. Given the challenges faced by Tunisia regarding the situation of migrants on land and at sea, and the fundamental rights at stake, the Assembly invites the Committee of Ministers to take into account and address this critical issue in the context of its co-operation activities with Tunisia.