Geneva, Switzerland, 22 June 2023 – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) participated in the Global Compact for safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) Talk “Towards effective solutions: Addressing the complexities behind the Smuggling of Migrants”. Hon. Rita Theodorou Superman (Cyprus), intervened on behalf of PAM. The event was organized by the UN Network on Migration.
The event aimed at promoting understanding among UN, civil society and governments on migrant smuggling, promoting bilateral cooperation and standardized prosecutions, emphasizing a rights-based approach for migrants and stimulating an exchange of experiences.
In her address, Hon. Superman referred to the recent tragedy off the island of Pylos in Greece, where hundreds are reported missing. She recalled that each PAM country is either a country of origin, transit or destination and that the Mediterranean is the deadliest migration route in the world. She stressed that smuggling activities amount to an international criminal enterprise, exploiting individuals fleeing conflict, persecution, climate change, and poverty. She also recalled that PAM supports and contributed to the review of the Palermo Convention against transnational organized crime and its additional Protocols. Hon. Superman mentioned that, in line with the UN 2030 agenda, it is crucial investing in conflict resolution coupled to sustainable solutions. Moreover, she emphasized that regional cooperation and strengthening international partnerships remain essential tools. She suggested that countries should discuss and enforce bilateral and multilateral agreements for safe return, readmission, and reintegration of smuggled migrants, whose asylum claim has been denied, while respecting their dignity and human rights.
PAM remains committed to the duty of countries to save migrants at sea, preventing further loss of life and the repeat of tragedies. PAM follows with great interest the current negotiations on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, recalling the need to find a just balance between responsibility and solidarity.//