Human trafficking

European NGOs Colluding With Migrant Traffickers, says European Border Agency FRONTEX

The Chief of European border agency Frontex has accused non-government organisations (NGOs) of encouraging migrant traffickers. The ‘rescue operations’ by European NGOs off the North African coast are putting lives at risk, as they encourage traffickers to “put even more migrants onto unseaworthy boats with little water and fuel”, Frontex Chief Fabrice Leggeri told the German newspaper DIE WELT.

With East European countries like Hungary and Croatia closing the Balkan route — the main passage for migrant influx into Germany and Central Europe — by securing their borders, traffickers are increasingly turning to North African country of Libya as bridgehead for crossing into Europe.

North Africa-based smuggling rings are making billions each year through migrant trafficking into Europe. Islamic terrorist groups such as ISIS and Hamas are known to be profiting off this multi-billion industry.

Last year some 180,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean to get into Europe. European NGOs have carried out 40 percent of all rescue operations at sea. These NGOs have often been accused colluding with criminal networks and traffickers involved in the business of smuggling illegal migrants into Europe.