The Commission calls on the Greek government and the Commission to urgently carry out an independent and transparent international investigation into the tragedy
To be held independent research regarding the fatal shipwreck off Pylos, the president of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Internal Affairs (LIBE) of European ParliamentJuan Fernando Lopez Aguilar.
The president of LIBE speaks of “lack of clarity about the facts which led to the overturning of the boat”, noting among other things that information from the media about the causes of the tragedy state that “both the Greek authorities as well as Frontex they had been notified of the vessel’s emergency situation hours before it sank.”
He puts in the frame of responsibility Greece adding that “Frontex itself stated that it informed the Greek authorities of his presence “unsafe” vessels early on Tuesday 13 June 2023. Despite this warning from Frontex, no action was taken by the Greek coast guard with tragic consequences and enormous loss of human life” and that “there were different versions in the media about the events that happened that night”.
In this context, LIBE calls on the Commission and the Greek government to “urgently carry out an independent and transparent international investigation into the incident in order to examine the actions of the Greek authorities and Frontex and to what extent these were in accordance with European and international law, in particular the legislation concerning search and rescue at sea” – as characteristically mentioned in the letter.
LIBE proposes that the investigation be assigned to “ena body recognized and related to the objectsuch as the Council of Europe and/or the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Migration and Refugees, possibly with the assistance of the relevant bodies of the United Nations, in particular the Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants”.
He notes at the same time that the conclusions of such an independent international investigation they will “must help strengthen accountability, prevent similar incidents and ultimately bring an end to the loss of life.”
“We are sure of your commitment uncover the root causes and all the circumstances and factors that contributed to this disaster and we look forward to your immediate response to our request” concludes Juan Fernando López Aguilar.
The letter was sent to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and the Greek Minister of Shipping Miltiadis Varvitsiotisdated June 28, 2023, while it was also mobilized to the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Below is the document with the entire letter
