AU-EU-UN taskforce wows better coordination in battling human trafficking

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The joint taskforce of the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN) on migration has vowed to strengthen coordination toward dismantling human trafficking and criminal networks.

The joint AU-EU-UN taskforce has recently discussed ways of addressing the migration situation in Libya, according to an AU statement on Tuesday.

The work of the taskforce is to be coordinated with the "recognized" Libyan authorities with the main goal of dismantling trafficking and criminal networks, while helping countries of origin and transit for migrants in tackling the root causes of migration via development opportunities and stability.

The AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Amira El Fadil; the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini; the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing; and UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Turk, met last Thursday in Brussels, Belgium, to dwell upon the issue.

The officials have discussed the encouraging results of initiatives put in place and a set of concrete actions aimed at addressing the dramatic situation of migrants and refugees in particular inside Libya, following the formal launch of the Taskforce on Dec. 4th in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Since the emergency voluntary humanitarian return (VHR) operation started in line with the agreement reached during the AU-EU summit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Nov. 28th, 3,100 migrants have been assisted to return from Libya to their countries of origin.

This brings up the number of migrants that have been assisted by the IOM to return home safely to a total of 16,561 persons, compared to 2,700 for the whole of 2016.

All participants have confirmed the shared commitment to provide VHR assistance to an additional 15,000 migrants by February 2018.

In this context, IOM will scale up the reception, reintegration and community-based support to returnees and its counter-trafficking efforts and its assistance to victims of trafficking, according to the statement.

It is of paramount importance that the evacuation can rely on protection sensitive identification and disembarkation procedures in Libya for all nationalities, notably to cater for the needs of those who are in need of protection and unaccompanied minors.

The taskforce will work together with the Libyan authorities to ensure unhindered access for international organizations and NGOs to detention centers and to allow the full and transparent registration of all refugees and migrants both at the disembarkation points and in detention centers by international organizations.

In order to strengthen action targeting migrant smugglers and human traffickers, the parties have agreed to coordinate positions in Addis Ababa, New York and in Geneva to promote African, European and international initiatives aiming at reducing demand, disrupting the supply chain and bringing perpetrators to justice.

They have stressed the importance to cooperate with key origin, transit and destination countries on judicial as well as on law enforcement level to exchange information, build capacity and counter the culture of impunity and vowed to support enhanced efforts by Libya in the area.

The taskforce parties have reconfirmed their commitment to build stronger security architecture in the region, including through targeted action against all forms of organized crime, especially trafficking in human beings.

The AU, the EU, and the UN have agreed to meet on a regular basis at operational level and hold joint mission at senior official level to develop the operations further in close coordination with Libyan authorities. Enditem