UK announces sanctions regime targeting people smugglers
The UK government will create the world’s first standalone sanctions regime targeting people smuggling networks and irregular migration, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (‘FCDO’) has announced.
‘Today, 9 January, the UK Government has set out our intent to develop a new sanctions regime targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime, as part of the government’s efforts to smash the gangs profiting from the vile trade in people smuggling,’ the notice explained.
It came a day after Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, ‘I’m proud to announce that the UK is set to be the first country in the world to develop legislation for a new sanctions regime specifically targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime.’
The new regime, expected to be implemented within the year, will allow authorities to target individuals and entities enabling dangerous journeys, with sanctions experts working alongside law enforcement to stem illicit financial flows.
‘It is completely unrealistic to combat irregular migration without a role for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,’ Lammy said. ‘It is an issue which ties together the foreign and the domestic most acutely.’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the measures would ‘target those profiting off putting lives at risk and disrupt the gangs’ finances, making it harder for them to operate’.
The initiative builds on recent international cooperation efforts, including the UK-hosted European Political Community meeting in July and the anti-Smuggling Action Plan signed with G7 nations.
The UK expects to work closely with international allies in implementing the new sanctions regime.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKFCDO/bulletins/3cb848a
