Pak Calls For Boosting Rescue Mechanisms For Distressed Ones At Sea 

News Desk

United Nations: One life lost is one too many. We must undertake all efforts, including by developing transparent, safe, and predictable disembarkation mechanisms for people in distress at sea, while complying with international obligations and without obstructing humanitarian efforts, Pakistan Mission to the United Nations Deputy Permanent Representative Aamir Khan told the Security Council (UNSC) on Friday.

While raising the tragic sinking of an overloaded boat off the Greek coast last month at the UNSC, where 700 people, including many Pakistanis, were killed, the Pakistani representative stressed the urgency of addressing this issue and called for scaling up rescue efforts to save lives.

As responsible members of the international community, it is incumbent on us all to ensure the safety and security of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, uphold international law, including maritime law, and enforce the prompt rescue of individuals in distress at sea, regardless of their nationality or circumstances,” stated Ambassador Aamir Khan.

Speaking at the UN Security Council’s ‘Arria-Formula’ meeting on the topic of ‘Refugees and Asylum Seekers crossing borders on Land and At Sea: New Wave of Crisis,’ Khan highlighted the increasing peril of Mediterranean Sea crossings.

The meeting, convened by Russia, allowed for an informal consultation process under the Arria formula. This format provides an opportunity for the Council to hear from individuals in a confidential and informal setting.

Referring to the deepening humanitarian crisis, the Pakistani envoy said that the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) provided a good framework by outlining key objectives to ease pressure on hosting countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, expand third-country solutions, and support safe and dignified returns.

The recent GCR Indicator Report called for burden-sharing and strengthening efforts, as ten countries bear the weight of hosting over three-quarters of the world’s refugees, with developing nations accommodating 80 per cent of displaced individuals, stated Khan.

This is unfair and unequal and cannot be rectified by a business-as-usual approach, Ambassador Khan further said.

Pakistan has been hosting 3.5 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees for four decades, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Aamir informed.

Aamir Khan remarked that the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan demands immediate international support to avert the possibility of an influx of millions of desperate Afghans looking for safety from malnutrition and hunger. He also noted that Pakistan cannot accommodate any additional immigration.

The Afghan people need our assistance. We must not ignore Afghanistan and neglect other emergencies, further added the Pakistani envoy.