European Commission Unveils Sanctions Plan Targeting Smugglers

BRUSSELS, July 10 (NNN-dpa) - The European Commission on Thursday proposed a new sanctions regime targeting migrant smuggling, human trafficking and the trafficking of firearms and drugs.

"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," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels, reported German news agency dpa.

"We in Europe must be the ones to decide who comes to us and in what circumstances," she added.

While illegal arrivals were down by over 50 per cent over the last two years, too many people were still risking and losing their lives at the hands of smugglers, von der Leyen said.

The proposals are aimed at activities outside the EU that pose a serious threat to the bloc's values and security with a view to disrupting the smugglers' business model, restricting their movements and cutting off their profits.

Among specific measures are asset freezes, prohibitions on making funds available to listed persons or entities, and travel bans on listed persons into or through the EU.

The commission said that the proposals would not affect the work of rights organizations assisting migrants.

The proposals are to be submitted to the EU Council for adoption by the member states.

--NNN-dpa