Abstract
High numbers of people still go missing or die during migration journeys. In light of this, the essay discusses how Objective 8 of the 2018 Global Compact for Migration dealing with missing and dead migrants may contribute to the protection of migrants and the establishment of more adequate search and rescue operations. The work demonstrates how Objective 8, despite being carefully drafted to uphold states’ prerogatives and sovereignty, represents an important restatement of the right to life and its application in the context of irregular migration. Ultimately, it is clear that Objective 8 and the Compact represent milestones at the international level, setting minimum standards able to shape respectively, the fate of missing or deceased migrants, their families and international migration law.