RT journal article T1 Uncertainty, Alert and Distress: The Precarious Position of NGO Search and Rescue Operations in the Central Mediterranean A1 Smith, Adam K1 irregular migration K1 maritime law K1 Search and Rescue regime K1 NGOs K1 Italy K1 Libya K1 human rights K1 inmigración irregular K1 Derecho del Mar K1 Régimen de asistencia y salvamento marítimo K1 ONG K1 Italia K1 Libia K1 Derechos Humanos K1 migration irrégulière K1 loi maritime K1 Le régime de recherche et de sauvetage K1 Les ONG K1 Italie K1 Libye K1 droits de l’homme AB The international framework for maritime search and rescue relies on state actorsestablishing regions of responsibility supported by private shipmasters acting in compliance withtraditional duties to rescue persons in distress at sea. Despite revisions to the framework’s foundationaltreaty, questions persist about the extent of state responsibilities and the interaction betweenthose responsibilities and international human rights law. Over the past three years, non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs) have provided significant support to the efforts of sovereign actorsresponding to the migration crisis in the Central Mediterranean. Regional governments and civilsociety initially praised NGO operations, but in recent months these groups have come to criticizeand challenge such operations. Italian authorities have threatened criminal prosecution of NGO deployersand proposed closing national ports to them. Libyan authorities have harassed NGO vesselsand sought to exclude them from international waters. These actions are consistent with non-entréestrategies employed by Mediterranean states in recent years, but are in certain cases of questionablelegality. Although controlling irregular migration is properly the responsibility of state actors, recentpolicies are inconsistent with principles of rule of law and good governance. PB Cátedra Jean Monnet << Inmigración y Fronteras>> SN 2341-0868 YR 2017 FD 2017 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19996 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19996 LA eng DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz RD 10-may-2026