Fortress Europe

Human Rights Watch has slammed the European Union (EU), saying the bloc is more concerned about border security than helping people, who are fleeing from war-torn countries and dire poverty. The group said many of the EU’s policies claim to be about saving lives but in reality the policies are aimed at preventing people from reaching the shores of Europe.

“EU leaders should move beyond expressions of regret and commit to concrete actions to help prevent more deaths of migrants at sea,” said Judith Sunderland, acting deputy director for Western Europe at Human Rights Watch, adding, "New proposals for increased monitoring of the Mediterranean need to focus on saving lives, not barring entry to the EU.”

During the past 20 years, an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 migrants have perished during the dangerous crossing, as they travel on badly overcrowded fishing vessels or rubber boats.