Humanity Without Borders: Saving Lives at Sea

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is a vital international agreement that creates an obligation for all ship captains to rescue anyone in danger at sea, regardless of their nationality or status. According to Article 98 of the Convention, all masters of a ship must help anyone in distress, as long as it does not put the rescuing ship in serious danger. This duty includes assisting anyone found in danger at sea, proceeding to rescue people in distress if informed of their need for help, and following procedures in the event of a collision.

These obligations apply not only to a state's own waters but also to any search and rescue region beyond the territorial waters and international waters. This means that all countries have a responsibility to rescue anyone in danger at sea, regardless of their location.

However, the reality is far from ideal. The current refugee crisis has highlighted the harsh truth that refugees are often left to die at sea. The lack of political will to rescue refugees has resulted in thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean alone. This is unacceptable and goes against the spirit of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Furthermore, it is deeply troubling that those who attempt to rescue refugees and migrants face criminal charges and the risk of imprisonment. Laws such as the one in Italy, which could result in a 20-year jail sentence for those who rescue refugees at sea, are not only a violation of human rights but also a clear disregard for the Convention's obligations.

It is time for the international community to prioritise the value of human life over borders and billionaires. We must ensure that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is respected and upheld in all circumstances, and that those who attempt to rescue those in need at sea are not criminalised but celebrated for their humanity.

Robina Qureshi

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