Measures to counter people trafficking networks in Turkey that are organising the illegal entry of thousands of refugees into Greece

The conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa are generating massive waves of refugees seeking safe haven in the EU, resulting in a sharp increase in the number of those illegally entering Greek territory.

The Turkish Hurriyet newspaper (29 May 2015) has now revealed the shocking truth regarding the activities of people trafficking gangs operating in Turkey, which are seizing this opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of thousands of desperate refugees seeking refuge in Europe.

Quoting revelations by the British Daily Telegraph, the Hurriyet newspaper indicates that hundreds of thousands Muslim refugees, mainly from Syria, are being organised in groups and making substantial payments to Turkish people traffickers for illegal entry into Greece and in particular the Aegean islands.

It appears that the Turkish authorities are turning a blind eye to what is regarded as one of the country’s most lucrative activities, earning millions of dollars, given that the refugees are willing to pay large amounts to organised people traffickers in Turkey in order to enter Greece.

In view of this:

What action will the Commission take and when to curb the activities of Turkish people trafficking gangs facilitating the illegal entry of refugees into Greece, crack down on the traffickers and ensure that Turkey meets its obligations to the international community?

Source: European Parliament

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its Communication on a European Agenda on Migration (COM(2015)240), adopted on 13 May 2015, as well as to its Communication on an EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling (COM(2015)285), adopted on 27 May 2015. Both documents set out the Commission’s view on the challenges of managing migration and addressing irregular migration, including through reinforced cooperation with third countries of origin and transit for migrants. The Agenda on Migration and the Action Plan demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to prevent and address migrant smuggling.

On 15 October 2015 the European Council welcomed an EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan to step-up cooperation on support of Syrians under temporary protection and migration management in a coordinated effort to address the crisis created by the situation in Syria. The Action Plan sets out specific measures to fight against and dismantle criminal networks involved in the smuggling of migrants in an effort to prevent further irregular departures of migrants from Turkey to the EU.

The Action Plan was activated following the EU-TR meeting on 29 November 2015 where both sides underlined their shared commitment to take decisive and swift action to enhance the fight against criminal smuggling networks.

Source: European Parliament