{"id":18049,"date":"2022-09-22T19:51:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T19:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=18049"},"modified":"2023-08-27T16:48:08","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T16:48:08","slug":"people-smuggling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/","title":{"rendered":"People Smuggling [EU]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Smuggling_of_migrants_by_land_sea_and_air_%E2%80%94_UN_protocol\" title=\"Smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air \u2014 UN protocol\">Smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air \u2014 UN protocol<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Key_Points\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Scope_of_application\" title=\"Scope of application\">Scope of application<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Measures_against_the_smuggling_of_migrants_by_sea\" title=\"Measures against the smuggling of migrants by sea\">Measures against the smuggling of migrants by sea<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#International_cooperation\" title=\"International cooperation\">International cooperation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Prevention_protection_assistance_and_return\" title=\"Prevention, protection, assistance and return\">Prevention, protection, assistance and return<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Context\" title=\"Context\">Context<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#ACT\" title=\"ACT\">ACT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Residence_permit_for_victims_of_human_trafficking\" title=\"Residence permit for victims of human trafficking\">Residence permit for victims of human trafficking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#Key_Points-2\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/people-smuggling\/#References\" title=\"References\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smuggling_of_migrants_by_land_sea_and_air_%E2%80%94_UN_protocol\"><\/span>Smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air \u2014 UN protocol<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council decisions 2006\/616\/EC and 2006\/617\/EC on the conclusion of the UN protocol against the smuggling of migrants (by land, sea and air), supplementing the UN convention against transnational organised crime<\/p>\n<p>They formally approve the EU&#8217;s signing of the UN protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea or air to the extent that it falls within EU competence. This protocol to the United Nations convention against transnational organised crime aims to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants, to promote cooperation between the signatory countries and to protect the rights of smuggled migrants.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Signatory countries must establish the following acts as criminal offences when they are committed intentionally for financial or material gain:<\/p>\n<p>the smuggling of migrants, i.e. illegally bringing a person into a state of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident;<br \/>\nwhen carried out for the purpose of enabling the smuggling of migrants, producing, procuring, providing or possessing fraudulent travel or identity documents;<br \/>\nenabling a person to remain in a state without complying with the necessary requirements to stay legally;<br \/>\nattempting, participating in and instigating the committing of these offences.<\/p>\n<p>Signatory countries must also consider the following circumstances as adding to the severity of the criminal act (i.e. aggravating circumstances):<\/p>\n<p>endangering the lives or safety of the migrants concerned;<br \/>\ninflicting inhuman or degrading treatment, including for exploitation, of such migrants.<\/p>\n<p>Victims of the smuggling of migrants must not be liable for criminal prosecution.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scope_of_application\"><\/span>Scope of application<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The protocol applies to:<\/p>\n<p>the prevention, investigation and prosecution of the above offences (where they are transnational in nature and an organised criminal group is involved);<br \/>\nthe protection of the rights of the victims of these offences.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Measures_against_the_smuggling_of_migrants_by_sea\"><\/span>Measures against the smuggling of migrants by sea<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a state suspects that a vessel without nationality is smuggling migrants, it can board and search the vessel.<br \/>\nIf a country suspects that a vessel with a foreign registration is smuggling migrants, it must notify the country in which the vessel is registered (flag state) and request both confirmation of registry and authorisation to take action. If suspicions are confirmed, the requesting country:<br \/>\ncan board and search the vessel, and then take appropriate measures with respect to the vessel and the persons and cargo on board and<br \/>\nmust ensure the safety and the humane treatment of the persons on board.<\/p>\n<p>If no imminent danger is found, no additional measures can be taken without the express permission of the flag state.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_cooperation\"><\/span>International cooperation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Countries must work towards strengthening their border controls and are entitled to deny entry to anyone implicated in the smuggling of migrants. Those with common borders or lying on routes used by criminal groups are required to exchange certain information such as the following:<\/p>\n<p>The departure and destination points used by the smugglers.<br \/>\nThe routes and modes of transportation used.<br \/>\nThe methods and means of:<br \/>\nconcealment and transportation of persons;<br \/>\nmisuse of travel or identity documents.<\/p>\n<p>Countries with relevant expertise must provide technical assistance to those that are frequently countries of origin or transit for migrants.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention_protection_assistance_and_return\"><\/span>Prevention, protection, assistance and return<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Countries are required to take action in a number of ways both to prevent smuggling and to handle victims of smuggling. These include the following:<\/p>\n<p>Public awareness-raising campaigns and development programmes and cooperation at regional, national and international level to combat the causes of the smuggling of migrants, notably poverty and underdevelopment.<br \/>\nMeasures to protect the rights of migrants who are victims of smuggling, particularly women and children.<br \/>\nProvide protection against the violence that may be inflicted upon migrants and assistance to those whose lives or safety are endangered as a result of being smuggled.<br \/>\nBring about the return of their citizens or persons who have the right of permanent residence in their territory and who have been the object of smuggling.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Context\"><\/span>Context<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Directive 2002\/90\/EC and Framework Decision 2002\/946\/JHA set out a common definition for the infringement of facilitation of irregular migration and minimum rules regarding penalties, liability of legal persons.<\/p>\n<p>Facilitation of irregular migration on the European Commission\u2019s website<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ACT\"><\/span>ACT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council Decision 2006\/616\/EC of 24 July 2006 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime concerning the provisions of the Protocol, in so far as the provisions of this Protocol fall within the scope of Articles 179 and 181a of the Treaty establishing the European Community (OJ L 262, 22.9.2006, pp. 24\u201333)<\/p>\n<p>Council Decision 2006\/617\/EC of 24 July 2006 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime concerning the provisions of the Protocol, in so far as the provisions of the Protocol fall within the scope of Part III, Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community (OJ L 262, 22.9.2006, pp. 34\u201343)<\/p>\n<p>RELATED ACTS<\/p>\n<p>Council framework Decision 2002\/946\/JHA of 28 November 2002 on the strengthening of the penal framework to prevent the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence (OJ L 328, 5.12.2002, pp. 1\u20133)<\/p>\n<p>Council Directive 2002\/90\/EC of 28 November 2002 defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence (OJ L 328, 5.12.2002, pp. 17\u201318)<\/p>\n<p>Council Directive 2004\/81\/EC of 29 April 2004 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities (OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, pp. 19\u201323)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Residence_permit_for_victims_of_human_trafficking\"><\/span>Residence permit for victims of human trafficking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Residence permits of temporary duration may be issued to non-EU nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or (optionally) the subject of an illegal immigration action. It is hoped that this will encourage them to cooperate with the competent authorities whilst providing them with adequate protection.<\/p>\n<p>Council Directive 2004\/81\/EC of 29 April 2004 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities.<\/p>\n<p>The directive sets out the procedure for issuing and renewing the residence permit and the conditions for non-renewal or withdrawal, as well as the treatment of victims prior to and after being granted a permit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points-2\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The directive applies to non-EU nationals regardless of whether they have entered the EU illegally. Permits can be granted to those who have reached the age of majority in the respective EU country and may apply to children under the conditions set out in national laws.<\/p>\n<p>Persons concerned must be informed of the possibilities offered under this directive by the competent authorities of the relevant EU country. Non-EU nationals are granted a reflection period to recover and to escape the influence of the perpetrators of the offences. This allows them to make an informed decision on whether to cooperate with the investigating authorities. During this period, the non-EU nationals concerned should:<\/p>\n<p>not be made subject to any expulsion order;<br \/>\nif required, be provided with help to ensure they have adequate living standards and with access to emergency medical and, if appropriate, psychological treatment;<br \/>\nhave access to translation and interpreting services, where appropriate;<br \/>\nhave access to free legal aid, if provided for in national law.<\/p>\n<p>The competent authorities are responsible for assessing whether the:<\/p>\n<p>presence of the victim can help the investigation;<br \/>\nvictim has shown a clear intention to cooperate;<br \/>\nvictim cut all contact with those suspected of the given offences.<\/p>\n<p>When the above three conditions have been fulfilled, a temporary renewable residence permit, valid for at least 6 months, will be issued. The permit can be renewed if the relevant conditions continue to be satisfied. The permit grants the holder access to the labour market and to vocational training and education, under conditions determined in national legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The residence permit may not be renewed if the conditions of this directive are no longer met or if the relevant proceedings have been terminated. The permit may be withdrawn for a number of reasons, including if the victim renews contact with those suspected of committing the offences or ceases to cooperate or when the proceedings are discontinued.<\/p>\n<p>EU countries are free to adopt or maintain more favourable provisions for the persons covered by this directive.<\/p>\n<p>While the collection of data on various aspects of this directive still needs to be improved, two reports from the Commission on the application of the directive in 2010 and in 2014 have found that the possibility to issue permits in exchange for cooperation with authorities might be under-utilised by EU countries.<\/p>\n<p>This directive must be read in conjunction with Directive 2011\/36\/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. The latter provides a horizontal legal framework for both EU and non-EU citizens and has reinforced most provisions of Council Directive 2004\/81\/EC, including the protection and assistance framework for children.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Act<\/p>\n<p>Entry into force<\/p>\n<p>Deadline for transposition in the Member States<\/p>\n<p>Official Journal<\/p>\n<p>Council Directive 2004\/81\/EC<\/p>\n<p>6.8.2004<\/p>\n<p>5.8.2006<\/p>\n<p>OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, pp. 19-23<\/p>\n<p>RELATED ACTS<\/p>\n<p>Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directive 2004\/81 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities (COM(2010) 493 final of 15.10.2010).<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the application of Directive 2004\/81 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities (COM(2014) 635 final of 17.10.2014).<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-18049\" data-postid=\"18049\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-18049 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air \u2014 UN protocol Council decisions 2006\/616\/EC and 2006\/617\/EC on the conclusion of the UN protocol against the smuggling of migrants (by land, sea and air), supplementing the UN convention against transnational organised crime They formally approve the EU&#8217;s signing of the UN protocol against the smuggling of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18049"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18049"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18307,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18049\/revisions\/18307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}