Migrant smuggling: Council and European Parliament want stronger role for Europol 23:10 The Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation that[...]

The presidency of the Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on strengthening Europol to better support member states in their fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. The deal puts particular emphasis on strengthening information sharing between member states and Europol to improve cooperation at EU-level. The provisional agreement is subject to confirmation by the Council and the European Parliament.

The new rules amend the mandate of Europol, the EU agency that assists national law enforcement bodies in fighting organised crime and terrorism.

Better information sharing

When adopted, the new rules foresee that information sharing obligations (about migrant smuggling and human trafficking) between national authorities and Europol will be reinforced. For this purpose, it now follows clearly that the member states, for instance when participating in operational task forces or in case of Europol deployment in its territory, should make information accessible to Europol.

It also follows from the agreement that relevant information on migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings from immigration liaison officers, who are deployed by member states in third countries, should be shared with Europol. This is another measure to better coordinate fighting migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings.

European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling

The Council and European Parliament agreed that a European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling will be established as a permanent structure within Europol. The Centre will provide strategic, operational and technical support to member states to prevent and combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. It will also play a role in supporting the identification of victims of trafficking or other vulnerable individuals.

Frontex - the EU's border agency - and Eurojust - the European Union agency for criminal justice cooperation - should second liaison officers to the Centre in accordance with their mandates.

Finally, additional human and financial resources (50 staff and €50 milion) to implement the new tasks are foreseen for Europol.

Next steps

The agreement that was reached today will have to be confirmed by both institutions before being formally adopted.

Background

It is estimated that more than 90% of the irregular migrants who reach the EU make use of the services of smugglers and the UN considers that smuggling networks rake in profits of between €4.7 and €6 billion annually.

According to its 2023/2024 Risk analysis report, a record of over 15 000 migrant smugglers were reported to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in 2022.

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime, often committed within the framework of organised crime. It is explicitly prohibited by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

• Fighting migrant smuggling and human trafficking (background information)