War in Ukraine: Quick links
This page provides links to useful sources of information on the situation in Ukraine, including government statements, press resources and background briefings.
Documents to download
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The Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (105 KB , PDF)
In recent years, the number of migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea has increased significantly. The increase has been prominent on routes from North Africa to Italy and Malta, with migration along this route increasing from 40,000 in 2013 to 170,000 in 2014. The passage across the Mediterranean is very dangerous, particularly given that migrants are often trafficked by people smugglers in unseaworthy boats and in rough seas, and 3,279 migrants died attempting to make the crossing in 2014. Commentators have attributed the surge in migration to developments in the Middle East and Africa, especially the Syrian and Libyan civil wars. This note explores these issues, and the cancellation of Italy’s Mare Nostrum search and rescue operation, and the creation of its EU-backed replacement, Operation Triton. It also considers recent proposals for the relocation and resettlement of migrants and refugees in EU countries.
Documents to download
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The Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (105 KB , PDF)
Related posts
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Impact of the conflict in Ukraine: UK defence and the integrated review
Since the beginning of the 2022 Russian attack on Ukraine, there have been calls for the government to reconsider the policies outlined in its 2021 integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy. On 9 June 2022, the House of Lords will debate the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, including its effect on the UK’s defence and foreign policy. This briefing looks at what the implications of the conflict might be on the UK’s strategic priorities as set out in the integrated review.
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International Agreements Committee report on improving the framework for the parliamentary scrutiny of treaties
In September 2021, the House of Lords International Agreements Committee published a report on its experiences scrutinising agreements under the current statutory framework for treaty scrutiny. Among its recommendations, the committee called for government commitments on scrutiny working practices made since April 2020 to be consolidated in a formal concordat. The committee also asked the government to commit to giving it more notice of both treaties set to be laid before Parliament and significant other agreements.
