This In Focus note examines the dangers faced by the growing numbers of migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean, and the British and European response.
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.
The Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (105 KB , PDF)
This private member’s bill would expand the criteria of who qualifies as a family member of a refugee and people granted humanitarian protection. Additionally, it would seek to reintroduce legal aid for such cases.
![Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Immigration-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The Labour government has called for an “improved and ambitious relationship” with Europe, including a new UK-EU security pact and stronger bilateral partnerships with partners including France, Germany and Joint Expeditionary Force allies. This briefing outlines some of the actions proposed and undertaken by the UK government to improve ties since the July 2024 general election.
While international attention has largely been focused on the Middle East and Ukraine, the civil war in Sudan continues. The UN has characterised the conflict as the “world’s largest hunger crisis”. As peace negotiations stall, concerns are rising not only for the people of Sudan but also about the conflict spreading to neighbouring states.
