EU Regional Disembarkation Arrangements in the Mediterranean: Between the Outsourcing of Search and Rescue Services and the Externalisation of Sea Border Management

The purpose of this article is to investigate the legal challenges that these regional disembarkation arrangements might pose while analysing this trend of shifting responsibility to save lives in the Mediterranean and patrolEUmaritime external borders to North African States. First, the author offers an overview on Search and Rescue services and the “duty to render assistance at sea” under international law. Secondly, the compliance of these agreements with the principle of non-refoulement and the right to leave is explored. Finally, the author elaborates on the access to international protection and the possible extraterritorial application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.