Council
launches EU naval operation to disrupt human smugglers and traffickers in the
Mediterranean
By: Mohamed
Adel
Council of the EU
The Council launched the EU naval operation against human smugglers and
traffickers in the Mediterranean called "EUNAVFOR Med". Its mission
is to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and enabling assets used or
suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said:
"EU has never taken the issue of migration as seriously
as we are doing now. With this operation, we are targeting the business model
of those who benefit from the misery of migrants. But it's only a part of a
broader strategy including the cooperation with our partners in Africa,
particularly in the Sahel region, and the work with the International
Organization for Migration and the UNHCR. As EU, we are determined to
contribute to save lives, dismantle the networks of the smugglers of human
beings and address the root causes of migration."
EUNAVFOR Med will be conducted in sequential phases,
in full compliance with international law, including humanitarian and refugee
law and human rights. The first phase focuses on surveillance and assessment of
human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterranean.
It is planned that the second stage of the operation provides for the search
and, if necessary, seizure of suspicious vessels. A third phase would allow the
disposal of vessels and related assets, preferably before use, and to apprehend
traffickers and smugglers. The Council will assess when to move beyond this
first step, taking into account a UN mandate and the consent of the coastal
states concerned, and subsequent phases will be conducted accordingly. The
Operation Headquarter of EUNAVFOR Med is in Rome. Rear Admiral Enrico
Credendino has been appointed Operation Commander and will be assisted at sea
by Force Commander Rear Admiral Andrea Gueglio. The common costs of the
operation are estimated at €11.82 million for a two months startup phase and
the initial mandate of 12 months.EUNAVFOR Med, established on 18 May 2015, is
one element of the broader EU comprehensive approach to migration which aims to
respond to the immediate need to save lives and address emergency situations,
tackle the root causes of irregular migration and fight traffickers.
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