The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday on whether to approve European naval operations aimed at seizing and disposing of vessels operated by human traffickers in the high seas off Libya, diplomats said.
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“It is worth remembering that originally the talks were on a resolution would allow the European Union force not only to be in global waters but to come into the territorial waters in Libya and come on shore to destroy the boats of the people smugglers – but that is not in this resolution”. It will be keeping within the limits described very clearly in the resolution.
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 global Organization for Migration.
The resolution, negotiated off and on for months, is under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which means it can be militarily enforced, something African members of the 15-member council had expressed concern about.
The resolution also emphasizes that migrants should be treated with humanity and dignity and their rights be fully respected.
China and Russian Federation had raised questions about the authorization of force and a mission that could potentially violate Libya’s sovereignty, but the planned formation of a unity government in Libya might lead to additional measures.
It also decides to authorize member states to seize vessels that are confirmed as being used for smuggling or trafficking, and underscores that further action with regard to such vessels, including disposal, will be taken in accordance with global law.
Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreno said Venezuela abstained because they believe that the refugee and migrant crisis is being tackled in an “erroneous” fashion from “a military approach”.
On Friday, a Libyan official with the Islamist-backed government controlling the capital, Tripoli, said authorities have detained 300 African migrants captured while boarding boats headed to Europe.
Last week, US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the governments to act quickly and reach a deal, warning that instability in the country was giving room for extremist groups like Islamic State to expand.
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Libya’s descent into chaos since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 has turned the country into a hub for migrant smuggling, drawing refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East and poverty in Africa.
