U.N. OKs measure to seize migrant-smuggling vessels
UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council approved Friday a use-of-force resolution to allow the European Union or any individual country to interdict, seize and destroy vessels off the coast of Libya involved in smuggling migrants.
U.K. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said that the situation was worsening.
"These groups have no respect for human life," he said.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre said there was a need for "close cooperation" of European nations in the effort.
The U.N. says an estimated 2.44 million people in Libya are in need of protection and some form of humanitarian aid.
"The scale of the current crisis requires that we speak candidly about the current crisis," U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said.
Power said that President Obama has increased the number of refugees coming into the U.S. and increased the amount of aid to deal with the migrant crisis.
The U.N. resolution authorizes phase two of a three-part plan to slow the flow of migrants and refugees into Europe. The sponsors of the resolution said that they hoped that a later resolution would involve European operations in Libyan territorial waters.
The resolution allows nations to "seize vessels inspected ... that are confirmed as being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking from Libya" and gives nations the power to destroy the boats.
The measure passed with 14 votes in favor and one abstention.
Russia had originally objected to the resolution but did not veto the measure. Its representative, Deputy U.N. Ambassador Evgeny Zagainov, said: "Any expansive interpretation of the resolution is unacceptable," adding that tackling the problem is unlikely without dealing with the root causes.
Venezuela abstained, saying that the problem was being tackled in an "erroneous fashion," referring to the military dimension of the actions authorized.
The resolution states: "migrants, including asylum-seekers and regardless of their migration status, should be treated with humanity and dignity and that their rights should be fully respected."
The resolution authorizes actions under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which means it can be enforced militarily, and it extends the operations for one year with the expectation that migrants on boats that are seized would be taken to Italy, diplomats said.
China and Russia 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.
This week, the U.N. envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leon, proposed a national unity government in the hope of restoring a more functional government in a nation that has not had a fully functioning government since the overthrow of former dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
