Međunarodnopravni status izbjeglica na Sredozemnom moru
The status of refugees at the Mediterranean Sea according to international law

Summary/Abstract: During the last few years Europe has seen the greatest migration of people since World War Two. Many refugees arrive by sea, across the Mediterranean Sea. This article analyses their legal status with respect to the maritime zones they find themselves in. An individual obtains the international legal status of refugee when the vessel leaves the territorial sea of the country of origin. On the other hand, territorial sea and internal sea waters of the receiving country are the only maritime areas of the territory, or rather of the sovereignty, of European countries. Therefore, appropriate rights and duties of the states are the most evident when a refugee is found in them. The territorial reach of the legal principle of non-refoulement, which entails that no refugee should be returned to any country where he or she is likely to be in danger, is dubious. Some member states of the European Union do not apply this principle on the high seas.

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