Search and Rescue Obligations in the Mediterranean Sea

Geneva Academy Talks

Óglaigh na hÉireann

Data provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) highlights that between 2014 and 2018, 1,907,661 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. During the same period, 17,819 died or went missing.

While fewer people are making the journey across the Mediterranean to Europe, a recent UNHCR report highlights that the proportion of those losing their lives while trying to cross has risen sharply.

What are the basic principles related to the safety of life at the sea according to the longstanding seafarers’ tradition? What are the main conventions and non-binding instruments regulating search and rescue (SAR) at sea? How to identify competent SAR authorities and the port of disembarkation? What is the role of merchant ships in supporting SAR operations?

This IHL Talk will discuss the legal framework and the main critical questions related to SAR in the Mediterranean Sea, using concrete cases and examples to illustrate current issues and challenges.

Welcome

• Marco Sassòli, Director of the Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law at the University of Geneva

Moderation

• Annyssa Bellal, Strategic Adviser on international humanitarian law and Senior Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy

Presentation

• Andrea Pappalardo, Lawyer at Mentha Avocats – Andrea Pappalardo is responsible for the ‘Italian Desk’ at Mentha Avocats and practices maritime law. He formerly led the legal affairs department of a multinational company in the cruise industry. Graduated at the University of Pisa, with a post-graduate master in EU Competition and Transport Law at the University of Udine, he is currently analyzing the legal concerns regarding migrations across the Mediterranean Sea.

Discussant

• Vincent Chetail, Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Director of the Global Migration Centre

Registration

Registrations for this event are closed. For those who cannot attend, we will publish the video of the event on this page.

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Every two months, academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Video