Operation Sophia and Italian National Antimafia and Counterterrorism Prosecutor meeting
The first report of the European Observatory on Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking
Today, 24 April 2018, following the cooperation agreement signed last 4th of July 2017, the Operation Commander, Rear Admiral (UH) Enrico Credendino, and the Italian National anti-mafia and counterterrorism Prosecutor, Federico Cafiero De Raho, involved all the national Prosecutors focused on the fight against human beings smuggling and trafficking coming from different Italian locations in EUNAVFOR Med – Operation Sophia Headquarters, as an unique successful model of cooperation between a military operation and law’s enforcement agencies.
The Operation Commander provided an update on the activities and operational results achieved by the EU-led CSDP mission, underlining the effectiveness in the information flow exchange as a model for the future initiatives.
Furthermore, the Italian National anti-mafia and counterterrorism Prosecutor, Federico Cafiero De Raho, stressed the relevance of the Observatory and its goal to enhance the data sharing as an added value to disrupt the criminal organizations.
The technical meeting has been a fruitful occasion to enhance the cooperation within the EUNAVFOR MED and the Italian Prosecutors, following the first European Observatory on Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking.
The Observatory is systematically collecting, analysing and reporting on data regarding irregular migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Using the latest computer analysis techniques, the project is providing support to those who seek to identify and prosecute the individuals and criminal organisations involved. This includes the Italian prosecutors working under the Coordination of the Direzione Nazionale Antimafia and others European law’s enforcement agencies.
On the occasion, the EUNAVFOR MED OHQ Gender Advisor, smugglers and traffickers analyst, Ms. Federica Mondani, and the Direzione Nazionale Antimafia representative, Ms. Eugenia Pontassuglia, presented the first report on the Observatory.
On 25 July 2017, the Council extended the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia until 31 December 2018.
The Council also amended the operation’s mandate to:
– set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure the long-term efficiency of the training of the Libyan Coastguard;
– conduct new surveillance activities and gather information on illegal trafficking of oil exports from Libya in accordance with UNSCR 2146 (2014) and 2362 (2017);
– enhance the possibilities for sharing information on human trafficking with member states’ law enforcement agencies, FRONTEX and EUROPOL.
