Britain Awaits UN Approval to Capture Migrant Boats

Britain awaits UN approval to capture migrant boats.

The country is awaiting for the United Nations to give permission to the countries from the European Union to confiscate boats from Libya that are used to illegally transport migrants and for human trafficking.

Matthew Rycroft, Britain’s UN ambassador, declared that he desired a great number of ”yes” votes concerning the draft resolution.

While some countries agree the draft resolution, others reject it.

Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya’s UN ambassador addressed a letter to the Security Council on October 6 stating that Libya agrees the measures.

Russia, on the other hand, expressed its concerns regarding the resolution’s Chapter 7, which stipulates the use of military force. In addition, other African countries were against the resolution.

The nations were given an ultimatum until Wednesday in order to vote the resolution, but the diplomats declared that this was put off until Thursday.

The Associated Press got into the final draft’s possession. The draft would give the EU and other separate countries the possibility to capture vessels that represent a danger for migrants and for those who are exposed to human trafficking.

The initial draft would have allowed the destruction of the boats, but the final one states the importance of obeying the international law when capturing the vessels.

Moreover, the resolution stipulates the search and capturing operation over a period of one year and only on the coast of Libya.

Also, the resolution underlines its intention to stop “organized criminal enterprises engaged in migrant smuggling and human trafficking and prevent loss of life.”

Besides, the resolution states that authorities must behave with humanity and respect towards migrants.

Diplomats stated that the seized migrants would be brought to Italy.

At first, the EU considered a naval operation to do the search in the Libyan waters, but that would have meant the government’s approval.

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