Date: 16th January 2019
Time: 12:00-13:00
Place: Bergen Global, Jekteviksbakken 31
During 2018 over 2775 people drowned on the dangerous migration route across the Mediterranean and into Europe. A further 46 796 were rescued offshore by NGOs, while the Italian coastguard saved 35 875. The civil rescue work has been spearheaded by the NGO SOS MEDITERRANEE, and their ship the Aquarius. The Aquarius has faced a number of legal difficulties, and most recently was left offshore in the Mediterranean while Spain, Italy and Malta negotiated who would take the refugees from the ship.
In this seminar we will be joined by SOS MEDITERRANEE’s Head of Operations, Frédéric Penard, who will speak about how the NGO ran the rescue operation, and the legal obstacles they faced. He will be joined by Jack Olav Herheim from Doctors without Borders who has worked extensively with different rescue boats. Professor Erik Røsæg from the Nordic Institute of Maritime Law will consider how to assist the rescue workers in the face of authorities in Italy and Malta.
This seminar is a unique chance to hear from those doing the rescue work on the ground in discussion with those with an oversight of the legal issues.
All are welcome to this seminar! Tea, coffee and croissants will be served.
Photo: SOS Mediterranee