At the 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling, held by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, member states were urged to intensify their collaboration to combat the ongoing issue of migrant smuggling. The event, organized by the Council’s European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC), highlighted the need for unified efforts across its 46 member countries. Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić stressed the importance of making migrant smuggling a thing of the past, calling for stronger international cooperation while upholding the human rights of migrants and refugees.
Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights, echoed this sentiment, stating that legislative reforms and international cooperation will only succeed if they protect the rights of smuggled individuals, ensure access to asylum, and provide safe, legal migration pathways. He also emphasized the need to respect humanitarian workers and human rights defenders involved in these efforts.
The conference follows the 2023 Reykjavik Summit, where European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting human trafficking and migrant smuggling. CDPC Chairperson Fritz Zeder pointed out that the Council of Europe’s existing conventions on international cooperation in criminal matters could be vital tools in the prosecution of smugglers and the dismantling of transnational criminal networks. He noted that these conventions, which are open to third-party countries, could play a crucial role in improving judicial and law enforcement cooperation globally.
The Council of Europe has tasked the CDPC with preparing a report by the end of the year, assessing the need for new legal instruments to combat migrant smuggling. The progress of this report and other options for addressing the issue were discussed at the conference, with participants exploring various strategies for strengthening international efforts to tackle this growing problem.