02/09/2011 Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
Strasbourg, 02.09.2011 - Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), the rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) carrying out an inquiry into responsibility for loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea, in particular the death of "boat people" fleeing Libya, will make a fact-finding visit to Rome on 6 and 7 September 2011.
Meetings are scheduled with survivors of a shipwreck, officers of Italian coastguard units, representatives of NGOs active in the field and representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
During her visit the rapporteur will in particular look into the way boats are intercepted – or not intercepted – by national coastguard forces, or by military vessels under either NATO or national command.
Further to reports that migrants and refugees have perished after their distress calls were ignored, the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population appointed Ms Strik in June to conduct an inquiry into these matters.