The Prime Minister of the UK announced on Thursday that his administration will implement sanctions against individuals involved in people-smuggling operations that transport migrants across the English Channel in unsafe boats.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb these perilous journeys.
Labour leader Keir Starmer expressed his strong commitment to halting the dangerous crossings of the English Channel in small boats.
He highlighted that this issue is being exploited by criminal gangs profiting immensely from the abhorrent practice of people smuggling.
Alongside the various initiatives already in place, Starmer announced the introduction of a new sanctions regime, akin to those employed against terrorists.
This will empower authorities to confiscate the assets of these gangs, restrict their travel, and effectively dismantle their operations.
He emphasized that this initiative marks a significant milestone, as it is unprecedented on a global scale.
Keir Starmer emphasized that the sanctions, which include travel restrictions and asset freezes, will focus on “illicit finance networks that enable smugglers to exploit vulnerable individuals”.
The government plans to introduce these new sanctioning powers, pending approval from Parliament, within the next year.
Since taking office in July, Starmer’s Labour Party has committed to dismantling the criminal organizations that facilitate the dangerous crossings of thousands of migrants each year across one of the busiest shipping routes globally.
