Quelle: DW

The UN Security Council is set to vote on a draft resolution on Friday authorizing an EU naval mission to intercept and seize migrant trafficker vessels in the Mediterranean. The EU launched the mission this week.

The resolution would provide UN approval, and possibly greater legitimacy, to the European naval mission launched this week to board, search and seize vessels suspected of trafficking migrants in international waters from Libya to Europe.

The British-drafted resolution is not mandatory for Operation Sophia, launched on Wednesday, which involves warships from several European states. The EU hopes to dismantle the refugee trafficking networks, save lives and dissuade potential asylum seekers from making the dangerous journey on rickety boats.

It is uncertain how veto-wielding Russia will vote. The country’s UN ambassador earlier expressed concern over the resolution being drafted under chapter 7 of the UN charter, which authorizes the use of force.

Moscow is wary of granting the naval mission too much authority and has demanded specific language in the resolution. Russia has accused the West of using a 2011 UN Security Council vote to protect civilians in Libya to back rebels and oust Moammar Gadhafi.

That intervention destabilized Libya and helped foster the current refugee crisis and proliferation of human traffickers.

Several African nations and Venezuela on the 15 member security council also opposed the European plan due to initial objections from Libya. However, that opposition appears to have dissipated after Britain submitted a letter on Tuesday showing Libya’s internationally recognized government giving its support.

The resolution covers the second phase of a three phase plan that could eventually see European warships intercepting and seizing boats in Libyan territorial waters. That would require the permission of Libya’s government.

Europe is also pinning its hopes on Libya’s warring factions implementing an agreement reached on Thursday to form a national unity government that would help stabilize the country. The EU has committed to provide financial and political support to the new government if the agreement is implemented.

More than 500,000 migrants have taken the dangerous sea journey to reach Europe this year, while thousands have died.

cw/jr (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

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siehe auch: RAW Story

UN backs European military push against smugglers targeting migrants

The UN Security Council on Friday approved a European military operation to seize and destroy boats used by migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean after thousands died in dangerous crossings.

European warships on Wednesday launched Operation Sophia to seize traffickers’ boats in international waters off Libya’s coast, in the second of a three-phase campaign to stem the flow of migrants.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told the council the military action would save lives by taking aim at human-trafficking gangs.

“These groups have no respect for human life,” he said.

“They exploit those taking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, they overfill poorly maintained boats, ill-suited to such a difficult crossing, and abandon their passengers at the first sign of trouble.”

This year alone, 3,092 people have died while crossing the Mediterranean to Europe, while more than half a million have made the voyage, mostly landing in Greece and Italy, according to the International Organization for Migration.
In June, the European Union launched the first phase of the operation, which involved monitoring trafficker networks and rescuing refugees from rickety boats.

The UN mandate does not oblige the European Union to take action but does provide Operation Sophia with greater legitimacy.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini described the resolution as “an important political endorsement by the international community” of the EU maritime force and its operation on the high seas.

The measure was adopted under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which authorizes use of force, but it limits the UN mandate to a period of one year.

The 15-member council adopted the measure by a vote of 14 in favor, with Venezuela abstaining. […]