The Interior and Security Ministers of the G7 have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. This initiative follows the launch of the G7 Coalition to Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants at the G7 Apulia summit. The ministers aim to intensify efforts against organized crime groups involved in these activities, while ensuring protection for migrants and victims, particularly women and girls.
Migrant smuggling is a significant issue with an estimated US$ 6.75 billion generated annually for criminal organizations along major routes from Africa to Europe and South America to North America, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The G7 ministers emphasize a comprehensive approach involving cooperation with civil society organizations to address irregular migration challenges.
The action plan includes several priorities such as enhancing investigative capacities, strengthening border management, developing collaborative actions against transnational criminal organizations, promoting information exchange among law enforcement agencies, engaging with international transportation systems, and discouraging dangerous journeys by migrants.
"Recalling our G7 Leaders’ Communique," the ministers stated their commitment "to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms," highlighting obligations under international conventions like the 1951 Refugees Convention. They also acknowledge UNHCR's role in protecting trafficking victims.
The action plan consists of five pillars: strengthening law enforcement capacities; enhancing international cooperation; increasing collaboration with countries of origin and transit; raising awareness; and improving knowledge about migrant smuggling.
Specific measures include creating specialized law enforcement units in affected countries, enhancing intelligence exchange through platforms like Interpol’s I-24/7, launching joint investigations on high-value targets, collaborating with social media companies to prevent online promotion of smuggling services, supporting source countries in fulfilling UNTOC obligations, utilizing multilateral forums for better implementation of strategies, developing partnerships with transit countries for effective border management, facilitating voluntary returns of migrants without legal stay rights while respecting human rights principles, conducting awareness campaigns about migration risks in key regions, encouraging safe migration alternatives as per the G7 Apulia Leaders’ Communique, organizing roundtable events with social media companies to counter online content promoting irregular migration services.
Additionally, there will be field studies conducted alongside international organizations to monitor trends in irregular migration flows globally. The sharing of good practices among G7 authorities will be encouraged along with mechanisms for data exchange on irregular migration phenomena. Progress reports on this action plan's implementation will occur bi-annually within the Roma-Lyon Group meetings.
