Support Our Work Mailing list About / Contact
  • Home /
  • News /
  • 2016 /
  • June /
  • EU: Operation Sopia: from human smuggling to arms smuggling?

EU: Operation Sopia: from human smuggling to arms smuggling?

07 June 2016

Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

"The European Union yesterday (6 June) proposed expanding a United Nations Security Council mandate for a European naval operation to allow it to crack down on arms smuggling in the high seas off war-torn Libya, though Russia voiced concerns about the idea.

Britain circulated a draft resolution to approve the measure to the 15-member council. A copy of the draft, seen by Reuters, expressed concern that smuggled arms “may be used by terrorist groups operating in Libya, including by ISIL (Islamic State).” In October, the council authorized the European naval operation to seize and dispose of boats operated by human traffickers.

“Now once again, we are asking this council to adopt a resolution on authorizing Operation Sophia to enforce the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya,” European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told the council."

See: UN mulls allowing EU to search boats for illicit arms off Libya (EurActiv, link)

Our work is only possible with your support.
Become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

 Previous article

EU: Crunch time for European net neutrality rules

Next article 

EU: Refugee crisis: latest news from across Europe (7.6.16)

 

Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.

Report error

Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.

About | Contact | Privacy Policy