Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Resolution 2612 on sea rescues of migrants and protection of their rights adopted

On June 26, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2612 titled "Saving the lives of migrants at sea and protecting their human rights" with 56 votes in favor, 12 against, and 10 abstentions. Based on the report by Portuguese SOC deputy Paulo Pisco, the resolution reminds member states of the fundamental obligation to protect the right to life, as enshrined in Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Within the scope of the resolution, this translates into the need for member states to adopt a shared and structured approach to address the issue of protecting migrants and refugees in European waters.

To this end, the resolution urges member states to respect international humanitarian law, maritime law, and norms on the protection of migrants and refugees, as well as to enhance the capabilities of national coast guards, especially in critical areas such as the Aegean, the Canary Islands, and Sicily. Furthermore, it calls for the restoration of European search and rescue operations with the creation of a dedicated body. The text also raises concerns about cooperation with Libyan and Tunisian coast guards, suggesting a reassessment in light of numerous reports of human rights violations.

Other key points include combating migrant trafficking, prohibiting pushbacks, monitoring human rights violations at sea such as pushbacks and collective expulsions, and the need to allow humanitarian civil society organizations to operate without obstacles. The resolution also acknowledges and recognizes the tireless commitment of these organizations, along with that of national coast guards and naval units. Finally, the Assembly emphasizes the importance of establishing safe legal pathways for migrants in need of international protection, highlighting a more humane and rights-respecting approach to the complex issue of migration.