EU proposes sanctions regime targeting migrant smugglers and traffickers

EU proposes sanctions regime targeting migrant smugglers and traffickers
EU proposes sanctions regime targeting migrant smugglers and traffickers - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Photo: Xinhua)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Photo: Xinhua)

Listen to article

3 min listen
Audio reading is not supported on this browser.
Ready

Thanks for listening. Continue with a related story, or tap the speaker icon on the next page to listen.

Related story

EU, IOM launch regional programme to tackle climate displacement, response

Mary Wambui  ·  1 week ago
Read next Opens a fresh page.

The proposed framework would allow the bloc to impose restrictions on individuals and entities involved in migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, illicit drug trade, illegal firearms trafficking and money laundering.

The European Union (EU) has proposed a new sanctions framework targeting migrant smugglers, human traffickers and other organised crime networks, with measures including asset freezes and travel bans aimed at disrupting groups accused of profiting from such activities.
The proposed framework would allow the bloc to impose restrictions on individuals and entities involved in migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, illicit drug trade, illegal firearms trafficking and money laundering. Those targeted would face restrictions on accessing funds and could be barred from entering or transiting through EU member states.
The move was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, who noted that the measures were intended to dismantle the networks behind migrant smuggling operations and prevent criminals from exploiting people seeking better lives across the bloc.

More To Read

“Today, we are presenting a new sanctions regime against migrant smugglers and traffickers. We all have a common goal. To drive them out of business and save the lives of thousands of people who dream of a better life,” she said.
According to the Commission, organised criminal groups involved in smuggling and trafficking continue to pose a threat to the bloc’s security, rule of law and economic stability. Although irregular arrivals into the EU have dropped by more than 50 per cent over the past two years, many migrants continue to undertake dangerous journeys facilitated by smugglers.
The proposal will now be considered by EU member states through the Council, where it requires unanimous approval before it can come into force.

Latest Stories

The development comes nearly a month after the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact became fully operational on Friday, June 12, marking a major overhaul of the bloc’s migration system after years of negotiations on how to manage irregular arrivals and distribute responsibility more evenly among member states.
Under the new system, individuals arriving irregularly at EU borders will undergo screening before they can enter the asylum process. The pact also establishes mechanisms designed to ease pressure on countries receiving large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers.
The pact also includes measures welcomed by child rights and refugee advocates, including joint age assessment procedures for unaccompanied minors, stronger recognition of family ties in certain cases, faster access to education for children seeking asylum and earlier access to the labour market for adult applicants.
According to EU officials, the reforms are expected to make asylum procedures faster and more efficient, improve coordination among member states, and give authorities additional tools to manage irregular migration.

Other Topics To Read

Top Stories Today

Comments

0
Loading comments...

Trending

News | |
Tanzania | |
Health | |
National | |
Sports | |
News | |
Sports | |
Technology | |
News | |
World | |

Latest Stories

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 - CS Murkomen warns bandit sponsors as security operation begins
Videos | |
Over 15,000 vulnerable households enrolled in SHA through NG-CDF initiatives
Headlines | |
Tanzania police arrest 130 people accused of inciting violence online
Headlines | |
South Sudan civil society warns AU elections could fuel instability
South Sudan | |
Coast clerics condemn Summer Tides Festival over moral concerns
Coast | |
Flawed credit ratings in Africa: Are top three Western agencies driven by data or bias?
Africa | |
Cause of death of KFS legal manager Esther Wairimu remains unknown as DCI keeps homicide probe open
Headlines | |
A simple blood test could end years of waiting for an endometriosis diagnosis
Health | |
Messi vs Ronaldo: The 'goat' debate that defined football history
2026 Fifa World Cup | |
Somali leaders in Minnesota accuse Trump of fuelling anti-Muslim rhetoric after sharing photo of children
World | |
IG Kanja told to produce Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo as Senate demands answers on county spending
Headlines | |
Political Parties Disputes Tribunal declines to stop Sifuna’s removal as ODM Secretary-General
Headlines | |

Popular Stories This Week

Heavy rains forecast across Kenya this weekend, residents urged to take precautions
Charity Kilei |
Tanzania bans use of foreign currencies for local transactions
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Pakistan working on second round of US-Iran peace talks - reports
DW News |
Turkish airlines to suspend 18 international routes starting May
Mary Wambui |
KMTC announces 5,000 training slots for March 2025 intake
Charles Adinda |
State directs Saccos to cover losses from KUSCCO scandal
Eastleigh Voice Reporter |
Govt to slash civil servants’ hardship allowances in policy overhaul, saving Sh6bn annually
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Denmark suspends green-sector work permit processing for applicants from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
Rachael Mutabasi |
Defence CS Soipan Tuya among 52 graduates at National Defence College ceremony
Mary Wambui |
Forgot your Safaricom number? Here is a simple way to get it
Margaret Wanjiru |
Ex-Kenya Simbas ace Joshua Weru signs with NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
Bashir Mbuthia |
Eliud Kipchoge hails historic marathon day as Sawe breaks two-hour barrier
Amina Wako |
Gachagua impeachment challenged in Court as lawyers allege constitutional violations
Carolyne Kubwa |
Businesses closed, Nairobi–Garissa buses halted over Mwingi clashes
Abdirahman Khalif |
Marathon world record holder Sawe receives heroic welcome after historic London Marathon triumph
Erick Kariuki |
KCSE exam results to be released in January as KNEC enhances cheating scrutiny
Maureen Kinyanjui |
OpenAI reportedly building AI-powered smartphone to rival iPhone
Margaret Wanjiru |
Sabastian Sawe, Hellen Obiri carry Kenya’s hopes in London Marathon showdown
Amina Wako |
Fuel shortages spread across Ethiopia as Middle East tensions disrupt supply
Bashir Mbuthia |
Details of the new salary structure, housing allowance changes for civil servants
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Inside Sh65,000 Adidas ‘feather shoe’ that helped Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe break marathon history
Margaret Wanjiru |
From endometriosis, IVF to loss and healing: A journey through motherhood and grief in the ‘Circle of Hope’
Charity Kilei |
Passport shock: Kenyans to pay Sh12,500 as cheaper options disappear from eCitizen portal
Lucy Mumbi |
Google rolls out auto-labelling feature for NotebookLM to simplify research workflows
Margaret Wanjiru |
UN: Don't allow Israel-Iran conflict to spark new refugee crisis
DW News |
Ruto awards Sawe Sh8 million, car after historic sub-two-hour London Marathon run
Erick Kariuki |
Exclusive: Somali referee Omar Artan secures US visa, cleared to officiate at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Bashir Mbuthia |
Mugabe’s youngest son escapes jail time, fined Sh4.7 million but loses immigration battle in South Africa
Amina Wako |
Why Instagram is removing end-to-end encryption feature for direct messages
Margaret Wanjiru |
How to make eesh/ceesh, the light everyday bread loved in Eastleigh
Margaret Wanjiru |