S/PV.7531 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Thailand to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2015/768, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 14 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2240 (2015). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of the important resolution 2240 (2015) today. Sadly, the issue it seeks to address — the migration crisis — needs little introduction to the Council. We already know it too well from the harrowing images of the drowned, the heartbreaking stories of loss, and the tragic death of three-year old Aylan Kurdi and so many more. The migration crisis is without doubt one of the greatest challenges of our generation. Thousands have died in recent months; thousands more continue to be exploited as they risk their lives to find a safer future in Europe. This cannot continue. Since June, European Union (EU) forces in the Mediterranean have worked tirelessly to help alleviate the human tragedy on the high seas off the coast of Libya. They have saved thousands of lives. But the situation is worsening, so today the Security Council has authorized the European Union military operation in the southern Central Mediterranean to begin interdictions against all migrant smugglers operating on the high seas. These groups have no respect for human life. They exploit those taking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. They overfill poorly maintained boats ill-suited to such a difficult crossing, and they abandon their passengers at the first sign of trouble. All EU member States contributing to the operation now have the authority to interdict them and their boats on the high seas. Any smugglers stopped will be arrested and their boats will be seized. We must not allow callous people-smugglers to profit from others’ despair. Let me be clear. Any action will be proportionate, in keeping with the limits authorized by the resolution, and used solely against the smugglers and empty boats. Any migrants encountered in the course of the operation will be taken to Europe as part of established procedures. Sadly, action against the smugglers on the high seas will not solve this crisis alone, but it will send a message that people cannot profit from this evil trade with impunity. It will save lives. But we must continue to do more. That means deepening our partnership with the Libyan Government and working together towards the deployment of future phases of this operation. I welcome the cooperation with the Libyan authorities on the resolution, and I also warmly welcome the political agreement on the Government of national unity announced by Bernardino León last night. We look forward to working with that future Government of Libya. If we are to end this crisis in the longer term, we all need to work collectively to bring an end to the drivers of irregular migration. That is the surest way to put an end to the untold numbers of people dying in pursuit of a better future. This requires a response beyond the smugglers. It means helping countries to manage their migratory flows. It means addressing the root causes of mass migration, including conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, as well as tackling extremist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. Today’s resolution is a small part of the solution to a huge challenge. As part of its comprehensive approach to migration, the European Union will do all it can to protect the rights of those who need our protection and to help alleviate the suffering driving people to desperation. The United Kingdom will continue to play a leading role in those efforts as we seek a comprehensive solution to one of the greatest challenges of our generation.

Resolution 2240 (2015), which we have just adopted, authorizing the European Union military operation in the southern Central Mediterranean to fight human trafficking and migrant smugglers on the high seas of the Mediterranean, was the object of lengthy negotiations with a view to obtaining a broad consensus on its content and scope. We welcome the flexibility and understanding shown by the United Kingdom, the initiator of the resolution, in taking into account most of the legitimate concerns expressed by African countries. Aware of the gravity and dimensions of the phenomenon of migration, Chad can only welcome and support any initiative aimed at saving human lives endangered by the recurring wrecks of overloaded makeshift vessels transporting migrants. It was in that spirit that Chad voted in favour of the resolution, hoping that it will be used only to fight the criminal network of human traffickers and smugglers without harming migrants or undermining their rights, much less the territorial integrity and sovereignty of African countries. In that regard, we stress the need for the naval operation authorized by the resolution to be conducted in accordance with the established framework and in full respect for international law and the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. Furthermore, we dare to hope that the reference in the text to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations authorizing the use of armed force will not give rise to extensive interpretations, as has unfortunately been the case in the past. For some years now, the Mediterranean has become a cemetery for thousands of essentially African migrants, who leave their countries and take enormous risks to reach Europe in search of a better life. The many conflicts in the Middle East, in particular in Syria, Iraq and Libya, have increased the magnitude of the migration and have created a significant refugee population. In this context, the smugglers and other traffickers take advantage of the widespread chaos, which they did not cause. As a result, in our humble opinion, launching a struggle against the smugglers on the high seas without tackling the root causes of the migration and refugee crisis would not be a viable solution, especially when we know that most of these traffickers are on land. That is why we believe that a comprehensive approach that emphasizes the underlying causes of migration, which are, among others, poverty, destitution, economic and social crisis and armed conflicts, could help us to consider appropriate and lasting solutions. From that point of view, we hope that the fight against the smuggling networks will be accompanied by specific and simultaneous action aimed at development in a spirit of solidarity with the countries of origin of the migrants. Furthermore, special emphasis must be placed on the urgency of reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Syria, Iraq and Libya, where recently a large part of the migrants have come from. Lastly, with respect to the scale of the migration crisis, it is crucial that Europe combines its efforts with all of its partners, namely the countries of origin and transit of the migrants and refugees, as well as regional organizations, such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, with a view to meeting the challenge through dynamic and effective cooperation. The use of military force against smugglers on the high seas alone will not be enough to put an end to the flow of migrants and refugees towards Europe.

I am taking the floor to explain my delegation’s vote on resolution 2240 (2015), which was just adopted and which Malaysia also co-sponsored. We thank the United Kingdom for facilitating consultations among Council members in its capacity as a penholder for this initiative. We greatly appreciate the flexibility of Council members during the highly challenging, yet ultimately constructive and fruitful, negotiations on the draft. Malaysia welcomes the adoption of resolution 2240 (2015). It is a timely response by the Council towards addressing the plight of migrants attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing in a desperate attempt to flee from conflict zones. In a horrendous exploitation of the misery of those migrants, unscrupulous human traffickers and smugglers seek to profit from them by offering passage across the Mediterranean while charging exorbitant rates. The shear number of fatalities among those attempting the Mediterranean crossing is a humanitarian crisis in itself. The harrowing visuals of migrants, particularly of the three-year-old Syrian boy arriving by the Sea, is seared on our collective conscious. This situation cannot be allowed to persist. The text just adopted calls for action to stop the human smugglers and traffickers through activities such as the search and seizure of vessels suspected of being involved in such activities. At the same time, the resolution clearly outlines the parameters of such actions to a degree of specificity that prioritizes the preservation of life and the safety and security of migrants in accordance with applicable international standards. In short, the text delicately balances the need for humanitarian protection of the victims of human traffickers and smugglers with the legitimate safety and security concerns, as well as with the sovereignty and territorial integrity, of the concerned States. Malaysia will play its part and is prepared to receive 3,000 migrants fleeing the conflict in Syria, as announced by Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak (see A/70/PV.22) in the general debate of the General Assembly last week. We urge all countries in a position to do so to consider taking similar steps. The challenge posed by the network of people smugglers and human traffickers is not confined to only the Mediterranean. South-East Asia is also not immune to such challenge. The implementation of these resolutions provides many countries facing similar troubling developments an opportunity to draw on the European Union’s experiences and approaches with a view to addressing similar threats and challenges within their regional contexts. Having said that, while the present text may address immediate concerns on the situations of migrants in the Mediterranean, we are under no illusions that the root causes, particularly the situations of conflict and violence that have led them into such desperation, must be addressed without delay. In this regard, Malaysia renews its commitment to work alongside other Council members, as well as with other partners and stakeholders in seeking to find peaceful solutions to various conflicts in the Middle East and North African region and beyond in our collective effort to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian emergency of refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants who are the result of the tragedy of war, political instability, poverty, terrorism and the widespread violence that plagues important regions of Africa and the Middle East and who are desperately trying, at the risk of their own lives, to reach safer destinations. Our people express their deepest solidarity with these thousands of human beings who have been stigmatized and vilified. We also vigorously condemn the existence of the criminal organizations that profit from migrant smuggling and human trafficking, taking advantage of their desperation to protect their physical integrity or escape extreme poverty and hunger. This terrible phenomenon has been exacerbated in the past two years to the same extent that the political, economic and military situation in the Middle East and North Africa has continued to worsen as a result of foreign interference, military intervention and war. Venezuela, like other Latin American countries, has traditionally welcomed thousands of refugees and migrants who, in different periods, have sought safety, peace and opportunity in our land. We are a zone of peace and a people deeply supportive and respectful of human rights. That is why we believe that the current humanitarian crisis of refugees, who are desperately trying to cross the Mediterranean, cannot be tackled with a military approach with the pretext of combating international organized crime. This serious problem cannot be resolved by building walls or by taking military action. This humanitarian crisis cannot be summarized without acknowledging that the refugees remain contained by the hundreds of thousands in the zone of despair through the use of military action. This is a humanitarian issue in which the continued flight of hundreds of thousands of desperate refugees and migrants, either from North Africa or the Middle East, must be averted. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has decided to abstain from voting on resolution 2240 (2015) on migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Mediterranean Sea, which was adopted today by the Council, because we believe that this serious problem is being addressed in a completely wrongheaded way and that, far from resolving the tragedy that is being experienced by these human beings, it will instead deepen the problem by addressing it from a military perspective and not from a preventive and multidimensional perspective. Creating the possibility of applying Chapter VII of the Charter from which today’s resolution is derived — that is, the use of military force to deal with the humanitarian situation of migrants — is a serious mistake; in so doing, the Security Council sets a dangerous precedent by turning its back on the General Assembly, usurping the Assembly’s authority and addressing issues that fall within its competence. Venezuela therefore rejects the notion of making migrants, refugees and asylum seekers into a security issue, as has been done on this occasion. The complexity and multidimensional nature of this problem requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the purely military and security approach that some States Members of this body seek to promote. We need to examine the root causes that drive people to make dangerous sea voyages and the reasons why some of these people become victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The resolution adopted authorizes the use of force, which, in our view, is a disproportionate action that sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of the issue in the future. We believe it is not through the use of force or criminalizing the phenomenon that this human tragedy will be resolved. It seems that, beyond the argument in favour of fighting criminal gangs, the purpose of the resolution is simply to prevent these human beings from reaching a safer destination; in other words, it sets up a policy of raising barriers, where, in the end, we will have a world where the rich countries are surrounded by walls that prevent them from seeing and feeling the terrible reality of poor people battered by wars, most of which have been supported and promoted by the power centres in these rich countries. The human rights of these citizens and their humanitarian situation should prevail over material considerations or a concept of security that endangers the lives of innocent people who are essentially victims of this drama, regardless of the causes that motivate it. We must clearly state that one of the key causes of the humanitarian tragedy of migrants that we are seeing, which should be addressed in a broader and more democratic debate within the General Assembly, is the military interventions and wars in Iraq, Libya and Syria, as well as the expansion of the phenomenon of terrorism and the actions of non-State actors and violent groups that have received training, funding and weapons so that they can be used as instruments of political destabilization to overthrow Governments and respond to geopolitical considerations of the great centres of power. Moreover, the uncontrolled and growing flow of small arms and light weapons, terrorist groups and the chaos provoked in North Africa by the intervention in Libya has exacerbated the political, economic and social problems in countries in other regions of Africa, many of them subject to sanctions, blockades and economic hedges, where poverty is a chronic problem. All this has done is increase the exodus of these African people who are experiencing all kinds of tragedy in their transit to the shores of the Mediterranean. Thus, the resolution addresses only a tiny fraction of this complex problem — the final installment of this sad story. We would have liked to see this body participate in a broader and more democratic discussion on this issue, where actions could be coordinated at all levels to alleviate the humanitarian situation. We would have liked to see the African Union brought in as a key player in dealing with this situation, as well as other regional and subregional actors in the areas affected by conflict. What the Security Council should do is put an end to wars and terrorism. It should also demand that the financing and arming of groups that has caused so much damage to the peoples of the Middle East and Africa be brought to an end. Our country, Venezuela, has offered to take in 20,000 immigrants and refugees, and we hope that all the countries that are able to will open their arms and take in these human beings. We also hope that they stop raising walls to keep reality out. We do not want to see — nobody wants to see — any more tragic pictures of children drowned off the coast of a world that has denied them their right to live in peace.

We supported resolution 2240 (2015) on combatting illegal migration in the Mediterranean, aware of the scale of the tragedy and the need for measures to be taken to save human lives. Furthermore, our delegation would like to point out that headway in truly resolving the current crisis is unlikely without addressing the root causes of migration through tackling the crises in the Middle East and North Africa, working closely with countries of origin and transit and undertaking collective efforts at the international level to establish an effective mechanism of response to the problems of refugees and migrants. We expect those who will be putting this resolution into practice to strictly comply with the relevant norms of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and, as a priority, ensuring the security of migrants. Any expansive interpretation of the resolution is unacceptable. The resolution is eminently straightforward and provides for a number of absolutely clear requirements. Measures on the high seas off the coast of Libya that are sanctioned by the resolution, as the text clearly states, should be consistent with the specific situation and carried out with the goal of saving the lives of migrants or the victims of human trafficking and only as part of dealing with entities involved in the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking on the high seas off the coast of Libya. Moreover, a top priority is ensuring the safety of people on board. The resolution also notes the need for the humane treatment of migrants, including asylum-seekers, respecting their dignity and fully upholding their rights. We welcome the resolution’s provision of a monitoring mechanism for the measures implemented, including in the form of reports of the Secretary-General. We intend to closely monitor all actions to be taken with regard to vessels in that region.

China voted in favour of resolution 2240 (2015) on the question of illegal migration in the Mediterranean region just adopted by the Security Council. China understands the gravity and urgency of this question and hopes that the adoption of the resolution will contribute to an appropriate resolution to it. We also hope that Member States will implement the resolution in a comprehensive and accurate manner by scrupulously respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned and giving top priority to saving innocent lives and protecting human dignity in strict compliance with the relevant rules of international law. The causes of illegal migration are complex. The international community should take an integrated approach, focusing on the eradication of extreme poverty, social unrest and armed conflicts as the root causes. At the same time, the will of the countries concerned must be respected. Communication and coordination with regional and subregional organizations are essential. We welcome greater efforts to be made by the countries concerned to that end.

France fully supports and co-sponsored resolution 2240 (2015), which was adopted today as the fruit of close cooperation between the four European members of the Security Council and their other partners in the Council. The resolution aims to give the member States of the European Union the necessary legal guarantees to enable them to successfully conduct the operations provided for within the framework of phase 2-A of the European Union military operation in the southern Central Mediterranean, Operation Sophia, which has been in place since 7 October and provides for inspection and, where necessary, stop and search on the high seas of vessels and boats used in the trafficking of migrants. We have made sure that the text precisely defines the circumstances in which the recourse to force would be authorized to combat resistance by traffickers, and have included robust guarantees that protect the rights of migrants and refugees who might be passengers on such vessels. We consider it more urgent than ever to craft a comprehensive response to the migratory crisis in the Mediterranean and the tragic situations it engenders, with which we are all familiar. The resolution is part of that response; others must follow. We are convinced that the Council cannot remain silent in the face of the present tragic situation in the Mediterranean.

Chile voted in favour of resolution 2240 (2015) because it provides for measures to address an exceptional and extremely grave situation. Situations as appalling as that of the refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean demand that States act in accordance with international law and the human rights of refugees in order to guarantee basic protection standards. Human trafficking and trafficking in migrants are punishable illegal acts and behaviours that should be addressed within the framework of the relevant international and humanitarian laws. This situation should not give rise to the criminalization of persons who find themselves in the category of migrants and/or refugees. Chile firmly believes that the root causes of such phenomena should be addressed by the various organs of the United Nations system within the framework of their respective jurisdictions, which would contribute to reducing the precarious situation of persons exploited by traffickers. The Organization as a whole has a responsibility to do its part to enable States to act in concert and solidarity to respond to the humanitarian needs such phenomena engender and to sanction behaviours that undermine the dignity and rights of all human beings. Finally, we would like to reiterate our understanding that the resolution just adopted grants States or regional organizations, under exceptional circumstances and for a limited period of time, the right to intercept vessels on the high seas, along the coast of Libya, only in those cases in which there exist reasonable grounds to suspect trafficking in migrants or human trafficking and always within the legal framework of the norms established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Jordan voted in favour of resolution 2240 (2015) because it reflects our position. We believe that it is very important to help the Libyan Government to fight organized crime and to protect vulnerable people and refugees in view of the dangers caused by trafficking in the Mediterranean. That phenomenon has already caused thousands of deaths. However, Jordan would like to emphasize several points. First, thie resolution must not be misunderstood or misinterpreted by States and parties as an authorization to bypass the provisions of refugee conventions or override the legal principles that govern the use of force. Secondly, the seventh preambular paragraph of the resolution should not be narrowly interpreted, in particular when it comes to the definition of a refugee. The protection of and respect for international refugee law must be an integral part of this resolution, since refugees represent a large number of those who are the object of trafficking in the Mediterranean, from Syria and other countries. I speak here from the perspective of a State that knows this situation first-hand. Jordan, despite its limited resources, has welcomed many refugees, who now represent 20 per cent of our population. The resolution must not function as a shield for any State or party that attempts to violate the provisions of international law. We must assume responsibility for any violations. In that regard, I would like to recall that the use of force in accordance with operative paragraph 10 of the resolution must be limited in scope, because the use of force against non-State players or individual non-State actors in the context of human trafficking in the Mediterranean does not violate the legal norms that allow parties to resort to force. Here I refer to the ius ad bellum approach.

Two thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight: that is the number of people who, according to the International Organization for Migration, have died trying to make the journey across the Mediterranean so far this year. These are the deaths that we know about, and we also know that the actual number is surely much, much higher. The resolution adopted by the Security Council today aims to address one dimension of the refugee and migration crisis by authorizing the member States of the European Union to play a more robust role in rescuing refugees and migrants aboard ships originating from Libya and in going after the people who smuggle them. That is important. Smugglers exploit the desperate situation of people who are fleeing violence and hardship. They routinely subject those they are transporting to sexual violence, extortion and beatings, and they smuggle them in horrific conditions, denying them food and water and stacking them atop one another, like cargo, in the sealed holds of boats. Many die during the journey and some are found trapped ordeceased behind hatches that have been locked from the outside. But the scale of the current crisis also requires us to speak candidly to the challenges that we must still address — and by we, I mean not only the Security Council but the broader international community. I will speak to just a few. We must fill growing gaps in addressing the needs of the people rescued as well as those of others who survive the perilous crossing. Those individuals are arriving daily by the thousands in Europe — nearly 530,000 this year alone. The same is true of the unprecedented number of refugees from the region, including more than 4 million from Syria alone. who are on average spending longer periods of time away from their homes. In 1993, a little more than two decades ago, refugees remained away from their homes for an average of nine years. Today, that average is between 20 and 25 years and growing. We strongly believe that States have the responsibility to protect the human rights of everyone in their territories, including migrants and refugees. We must see to it that the needs of those people are met, that their children can attend school, that their sick are cared for and that their families are fed. And of course, as others have noted, we must redouble our efforts to end the conflicts and reduce the extreme poverty that drives many individuals to leave their homes in the first place. As we all know, for as long as the Assad regime is dropping barrel bombs on neighbourhoods or the Eritrean Government is repressing and forcibly conscripting its citizens for indefinite periods of time or the Sudanese Government-backed militias in Darfur are razing villages, there will be Syrians, Eritreans and Sudanese, and so many others to fill the boats leaving Libya and its shores, among other routes, no matter how perilous the journey. The United States is committed to doing our part in this effort, starting with giving more refuge to more people fleeing those hardships, and providing additional support to fill the growing gaps for people who have already fled. Just in recent weeks, President Obama has committed to going from admitting 70,000 refugees this year to 85,000 next year and 100,000 the year after that. He has also announced nearly $419 million in additional relief to Syrian refugees and displaced persons, which comes atop the more than $4.5 billion we have already dedicated to that essential cause. But even with that, we know that we have to find ways to do more and we will. In conclusion, I would encourage every representative on the Council and every Permanent Representative at the United Nations, for that matter, to press his or her country to find concrete ways to do its own part in responding to the crisis, which is far too great for any country or any region to shoulder alone.

We are glad resolution 2240 (2015), which Lithuania co-sponsored, is finally adopted. When the European Union (EU) High Representative, Ms. Federica Mogherini, addressed the Council in May (see S/PV.7439), she conveyed the sense of urgency to address the human suffering and crisis in the Mediterranean. Predator smuggling and trafficking networks feed on the human tragedies in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The money they squeeze out of the people fleeing destruction falls into the hands of arms traffickers, organized crime and terrorists, thereby contributing to ever new cycles of violence and death. We must absolutely stop this evolving industry of human smuggling. The resolution we have just adopted sends a strong message to all those who seek to profit unscrupulously and cynically from human suffering. It enables us to tackle the networks of human smuggling more expeditiously and effectively. It also enables us to take life-saving actions that safeguard respect for the dignity and human rights of the smuggling victims. The EU naval operation is just one step of the many that comprise the EU’s comprehensive and continuous efforts to respond to the human smuggling crisis. Ongoing cooperation on Africa and the Middle Eastern and European countries is essential as is cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, as well as the countries of destination. In that context, we welcome in particular Libya’s cooperation and engagement on the matter as it works to redefine and reshape its own future in a peaceful way. We are looking forward to the forthcoming EU and African Union summit in Malta, which will build on existing cooperation processes between Europe and Africa in order to improve assistance, strengthen cooperation on return and readmission policies and address the exploitation and trafficking of migrants. While the smuggling crisis is often referred to as a European migrant crisis, let us remember the root causes that drive people out of their homes. Protracted conflicts, the breakdown of governance and the rule of law, oppressive regimes and rampant corruption, the exclusion and abuse of minorities, extreme inequalities and systematic gross violations of human rights all contribute to displacement and refugee flows. Tackling those root causes, which send people running out of their homes, is therefore fundamental. Without addressing the driving factors, we will be left to continue picking up the pieces and dealing with the heavy consequences of migrant flows and the cynical abuse of human tragedy by unscrupulous profiteers, criminal gangs and terrorists.

Nigeria welcomes the adoption of resolution 2240 (2015), which seeks to address the menace of migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Mediterranean, which has developed into a grave humanitarian crisis. As a State party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols, Nigeria supports legitimate measures to combat the trafficking in persons. The activities of the migrant smugglers and human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean continue to endanger human lives. Thousands of men, women and children, as we have heard, have perished at sea in their attempt to seek safety and refuge beyond their borders. Nigeria condemns in the strongest terms the utter disregard for human life demonstrated by the smugglers and traffickers. In the same vein, we condemn the maltreatment of migrants both in transit and in destination States. That is a violation of international humanitarian law and international refugee law. We urge all States to ensure the humane and dignified treatment of all migrants. It is beyond any doubt that fighting transnational organized crime requires international cooperation. An important dimension of that cooperation is sharing intelligence. That is pivotal to thwarting the criminal smuggling and trafficking networks. Origin, transit and destination States must collaborate on this and other measures. Indeed, all hands must be on deck. The adoption of the resolution sends a strong, unequivocal message to the smuggling and trafficking networks that the die is cast. Human trafficking will no longer be the pattern for profits. If the resolution is implemented conscientiously we hope that it will ultimately serve as a model for other regions of the world.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity. At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to the victims of human trafficking. This year alone, nearly 3,000 people have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean simply to achieve a better future. Operation Sophia, launched by the European Union — which owes its name to the birth of a child in a German boat after the rescue of her Somali mother — summarizes the spirit of the undertaking that brings us together today. Such vigilance and rescue missions have the main purpose of saving lives and fighting the trafficking in human beings. The newly adopted resolution 2240 (2015) is an initial step towards a qualitative leap at a time when we must tackle those challenges. For some time, Spain has been a witness to the unscrupulous exploitation to which thousands of people have been subjected in the Mediterranean. We have been pioneers in promoting a comprehensive approach to respond to the phenomenon of migration, based on an alliance among the countries of origin, transit and destination. We enjoy excellent cooperation with Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Algeria and other African countries. We were one of the promoters of the so-called Rabat Process, and later of the Khartoum Process for East Africa. Within that framework, Spain will demonstrate once again its full commitment on the occasion of the upcoming summit of the African Union and European Union to be held in Malta in November. I conclude by thanking all members of the Council for their support in adopting the resolution, particularly our neighbours from the African continent — Angola, Chad and Nigeria — with which we will continue to work in the coming months in addressing this challenge. We also trust that we will receive confirmation of the excellent news coming from Morocco that Libya will soon have a Government of national accord. That would be the best possible contribution to peace and security in the region. I now resume my function as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Libya.

At the outset, I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I would also like to thank the Council for affording me the opportunity to speak in this important meeting. I also extend my thanks to the delegation of the United Kingdom, and to Ambassador Rycroft personally, for their efforts and cooperation during the drafting of resolution 2240 (2015), which was just adopted by the Council. It is a resolution that meets the wishes of the European Union (EU) and takes into account the concerns of Libya and the African continent. More importantly, the resolution is an important step towards saving lives and reducing the dangers to which migrants are exposed. It is a step that we hope will be followed by further steps to deal with the crisis of migrants in the Eastern Mediterranean. We recognize the grave threat to international peace and security posed by the smuggling and trafficking of migrants, and we appreciate the European Union’s concern for the dangers to which those migrants are exposed. We also recognize the huge financial burden borne by certain countries of the European Union as a result of disorganized migration. However, we believe that some efforts to tackle the crisis could lead to an increase in the number of migrants and help smugglers to collect more money, if the Libyan Government is unable to extend its authority to its entire territory and is not receiving the necessary assistance to control its borders. We are all aware that illegal migration cannot be tackled solely with security measures. It cannot be dealt with only in the countries of origin or the countries of destination. It must be dealt with by tackling its root causes, such as armed conflicts, economic crises and poverty. That requires a concerted effort on the part of the international community to assist the Governments concerned in establishing social peace and promoting development and prosperity. We look forward to the European Union playing an important role in that regard, based on consultations with the African Union and the countries concerned. However, we are not just tackling illegal migration as a whole. We are dealing with only one aspect of illegal migration, which is reflected in an unprecedented increase in the number of refugees being smuggled from Africa to Europe through the Mediterranean, as well as the catastrophic rise in the number of migrants who lose their lives by drowning at sea. I do not believe that anyone would stand against an international effort to put an end to that loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea or that humanitarian tragedy, provided that it is done in full respect for the principles of international law, and, in particular, the principle of respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their internal affairs. Libya, as a country that is seriously affected by this issue, does not object to the deployment of a European Maritime Force in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast aimed at saving illegal migrants or, even, at targeting smugglers and their boats in international waters, when necessary. However, we would like that to be done in coordination and cooperation with the European Union and the countries concerned, particularly when it involves military operations in the exclusive economic zones of those countries. In that regard, we would like to warn against any misuse of this resolution or of the European Union’s operations for the purposes of conducting illegal fishing and the plundering of fish stocks in waters under Libyan control. Libya believes that, if migrants know that the risk they face of drowning at sea has been removed or reduced, the numbers of those migrants and the number of migrants who enter Libya through its practically open borders will increase. Libya is having great difficulty in accommodating thousands of migrants and in fully respecting their rights and dignity. Libyan authorities are, at the same time, busy fighting terrorism and seeking to extend the authority of the State to its entire territory, with extremely limited resources. Libya faces continued obstacles in providing the necessary weapons to its army. That is a problem that we wish to resolve immediately. Undoubtedly, members of the Council realize that the chaos in the capital, Tripoli, owing to the absence of any political authority controlling the militias in control of the sites where the boats begin their illegal journeys, is the main engine of the unprecedented increase in the number of migrants. That calls for the international community to support any upcoming agreement among Libyans to establish a Government of National Accord. Stability in Libya will mean that somewhere between 2 and 3 million migrant workers will find decent work in Libya, and that, in turn, will reduce the number of migrants across the Mediterranean. The European Union has played an important role in supporting political dialogue in Libya. We highly value that role, and we trust that the dialogue currently underway in Skhirat in Morocco will succeed and lead to the establishment of a Government of National Accord, so that we can deal with the myriad of serious problems, such as illegal migration. The Libyan House of Representatives and the Government have chosen a path of flexibility and tolerance in dealing with disputes amongst Libyans. They have fully cooperated with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Bernadino León, in efforts to establish a Government of National Accord and have agreed on the necessary measures to restore security and put an end to the chaotic situation that we witness. The House of Representatives has made difficult concessions so as to appease those who did not accept the results of the elections, and we are pleased that yesterday, at Skhirat, it was announced that an agreement among the parties had been reached on the name of a President for a Government of National Accord and on a statement on the constitution of that Government. At a time when we salute the courage of all those who have worked with the interest of Libya in mind, we hope that the new agreement will also gain the approval of the House of Representatives, the support of the Libyan people and all political groups and armed groups in every village and town in Libya, so that when the Government has been fully established and endorsed by the House of Representatives, it will be able to restore the institutions of the State in the capital and extend the authority of the State to its entire territory. That, undoubtedly, represents the only guarantee for improving the quality of life of the Libyan people and putting an end to illegal migration or, at least, significantly reducing it across the Mediterranean. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the Libyan authorities will remain ready to cooperate, as much as we possibly can, with any international effort aimed at reducing the suffering of illegal migrants.

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