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Ministers pledge coordinated action on migrant smuggling

Germany will close a legal loophole that enabled human traffickers to store the small boats they use to cross the English Channel.

Ministers pledge coordinated action on migrant smuggling
FILE PHOTO: In this drone view, an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England in the English Channel, Britain, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe.
Pramod Thomas
By Pramod ThomasDec 10, 2024
Pramod Thomas
Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
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MINISTERS from Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium will meet in London on Tuesday (10) to step up cooperation in the fight against gangs smuggling migrants into Europe.

The representatives of the so-called Calais Group will agree on "enhanced efforts to break the business model of people smuggling gangs and ensure that those responsible for this dangerous trade are brought to justice", the British Home Office said in a statement.

Representatives of the European Commission and the Frontex and Europol agencies will also participate in drawing up the action plan.

In particular, the parties will seek to improve intelligence sharing to disrupt illicit financial flows and facilitate the prosecution of smugglers in Europe.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and German counterpart Nancy Faeser on Monday (9) announced the signing of a joint action plan between London and Berlin.

The plan "strengthens operational capabilities of UK and German law enforcement to tackle the challenge of migrant smuggling, the trafficking of persons", the statement said.

Germany will also agree to "clarify" its law to make it a crime to smuggle migrants to the UK.

"This will give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats equipment and allow the UK and Germany to better counter the continually evolving tactics of people smuggling gangs", the statement said.

"Many of these crimes are planned in Germany," Faeser acknowledged. "Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve.

"This includes maintaining high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes."

In November, prime minister Keir Starmer called for greater international cooperation against smuggling networks, which he described as a "global security threat similar to terrorism".

Nearly 34,000 migrants have arrived in Britain on makeshift boats since January, and at least 70 people died in 2024, the deadliest year on record.

(AFP)

uk migrantsyvette coopermigrant smuggling

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