About: human trafficking
Eritrea: an open-air prison, EU indifferent
Despite the dire situation on the ground in Eritrea, EU countries and the European Union as a whole look the other way. Benoit Lannoo explains why
Migrants become informants to provide valuable ‘intel’ against mafia
EU border guards are interviewing migrants arriving to the continent to gather “valuable” information to fight against the smugglers and human traffickers.
Activists held in Greece for illegally aiding migrants
Police in Greece said on Tuesday (28 August) they had arrested three members of a Greek NGO on suspicion of helping migrants illegally enter the country.
Illicit financial flows cost Africa $50 billion a year, states new report
Illicit financial flows cost African countries at least $50 billion every year, more than the total development aid the continent receives, according to a new report by the OECD. EURACTIV.fr reports.
EU flags fraud and corruption in refugee settlements in Uganda
The EU delegation in Uganda said yesterday (5 February) it has identified allegations of malfeasance and corruption in managing refugee assistance programs in Uganda, and had alerted the country’s government.
Human traffickers capitalise on ‘chaos’ at Europe’s migrant hotspots
Human traffickers are capitalising on widespread chaos at migrant reception centres across southern Europe to transport their victims undetected and lure other migrants into forced labour, a European security watchdog said yesterday (31 January).
EU countries urged to step up action against ‘modern slavery’
The European Commission has called on member states to enhance exchange of information and help conduct more effective investigations on rising human trafficking inside the EU, officials told EURACTIV.com.
MSF accuses EU of fuelling migrant abuses in Libya
EU aid to Libya to stop migrants entering Europe is fuelling a Libyan detention network that thrives on kidnapping, torture and extortion, a leading medical charity charged yesterday (7 September).
Aid groups split over Italy’s new rules for migrant rescues
Five aid groups that operate migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean refused to sign up to the Italian government's code of conduct on Monday (31 July), the Interior Ministry said, but three others backed the new rules.
EU curbs rubber dinghy, outboard motor sales to Libya to stop migrants
The European Union yesterday (17 July) adopted limits on the export of inflatable boats and outboard motors to Libya in a bid to make it harder for smugglers to send migrants to Europe.
Libya, a smuggling hypermarket
Powerless against the disarray and growing anarchy that spreads around smuggling - of oil, gasoline, weapons and people - Hasan Dhawadi, mayor of the Libyan city of Sabratha, raised the alarm.
Frontex chief: Migrant influx shifting but no let-up
The migrants pouring into Europe have changed routes: the crossing between Turkey and Greece is practically closed, but ever greater numbers are risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean between Libya and Italy.
Smugglers suspected of using migrant rescue boats as taxis
An Italian prosecutor has stepped up his investigation into charity-funded migrant rescue boats in the Mediterranean after claims they are acting as a de facto taxi service for people traffickers.
NGOs’ responsibility questioned as Italy refugee arrivals surge
Speaking ahead of the EU summit tomorrow (15 December), which will, among other things, address the issue of migration, a diplomat questioned the role of NGOs near the Libyan coast which, in his view, contribute to the increase of refugees arriving in Italy.
New deaths put Italy on track for sombre migrant records
Italy's coastguard said yesterday (24 October) that another 16 people had died during operations in which 2,200 migrants were rescued off Libya, propelling both deaths at sea and the numbers arriving in Italy towards new highs.
Leggeri: Revamped Frontex will be ‘game changer’
Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri said that the EU had learned its lessons from last year’s refugee crisis and that the new European Border and Coast Guard Agency would be a “game changer” in securing the Union’s external borders.
Migrant deaths at sea signal Egypt becoming departure country
A boat carrying up to 450 migrants capsized in the Mediterranean off Egypt's north coast on yesterday (21 September), drowning 42 people and prompting a search operation that rescued 163 passengers, officials said.
We need a change of approach to address the exploitation of Syrian refugee children
The war in Syria is raging on with no end in sight to the suffering or human rights violations it brings. We need to rethink how we protect the children displaced by this conflict, write Pierre Salignon and Gael Giraud.
Afghan boys behind huge increase in unaccompanied minor migrants to EU
The large number of unaccompanied minors arriving in Europe can be explained by Afghan families sending their children hoping they will get refugee status easier, and then seek reunification with the rest of the family, according to a new report by the EU asylum office.
NGOs criticise US downgrade of Thai human trafficking record, ahead of referendum
NGOs have condemned as the “wrong signal” a decision by the US State Department to downgrade Thailand’s human trafficking record, a month ahead of a referendum being closely watched by the EU.
Libya: Human rights at risk of being forgotten in the Mediterranean
EU plans to help Libya police its waters should be welcomed cautiously, but we should not ignore the causes of the migration crisis or the plight of those detained in Libya, writes Magdalena Mughrabi-Talhami.
Police agencies voice concern jihadists mixing with migrants
Interpol and its European counterpart Tuesday (17 May) warned of growing concerns that radical Islamists could be using illegal people smuggling networks to sneak into Europe or even fund their attacks and activities.
Laws are signals: Europe could learn from Sweden on human trafficking prevention
To reduce the demand for human trafficking, legislation should shift the criminal burden onto those who purchase sexual services, rather than those who sell it, argues Linnéa Engstrom.