Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

New Year launch for EUROSUR detection to track migrants at sea (5 December 2013)

Date: 05/12/2013
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, New Year launch for EUROSUR detection to track migrants at sea

The European Union is to launch a surveillance system which will detect migrants trying to reach EU shores by boat.

The European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) will increase coordination within and between EU member states to track small vessels at sea and bring to justice those profiting by charging money to transport refugees to the EU.

EUROSUR will also detect other serious crimes within the EU – including drug trafficking – by strengthening border surveillance.

The existing EU border surveillance agency Frontex protects the EU’s external borders by coordinating external border surveillance between EU member states. Frontex also maintains a centralised log of technical equipment owned by member states, which can be shared with other EU members.

Frontex coordination strategies will be strengthened by EUROSUR, which is due to be launched at the end of December.

EUROSUR will also coordinate different border agencies within the EU, providing a framework for cooperation between agencies, including border guards, the police, customs, coastguards and the navies of different EU member states.

EUROSUR is estimated to cost €244 million for the period 2014-2020 which will be almost fully funded by existing programmes under the EU’s current financial framework, as well as the following one. Costs will cover setting up EUROSUR, as well as maintenance of the system and staffing.

The EU Commission called for the EU to improve its policy regarding external migration – and encouraged mutually beneficial partnerships and dialogues with non-EU countries under the “Dialogues for Migration, Mobility and Security” initiative.

The EU is negotiating at a global level to address the issue of increasing numbers of migrants fleeing persecution and violence in their own countries, in the hope of making a better life for themselves in the EU.

North Africa is one of the countries recently involved in dialogue about how migration flow to the EU can be controlled.

Opening new channels for legal migration is one measure being discussed to help cut down numbers of migrants who risk dangerous journeys by sea to the EU, some of whom lose their lives at sea in makeshift vessels having paid thousands of pounds to the criminal gangs who traffic them.

The EU’s “Global Approach to Migration and Mobility” (GAMM) was introduced in 2011 promoted “well managed mobility” and strengthening international protection. GAMM also aims to protect the human rights of migrants and encourage the development benefits offered by migration.

Dialogues established with non-EU countries seek to establish Mobility Partnerships with some countries. The partnerships may in turn set out agreements regarding visas and re-admission to the EU, as well as labour and circular migration, asylum legislation, proposals to make sure countries do not suffer a “brain drain” of their most skilled staff as a result of migration – and joint cooperation with Frontex, including surveillance of the Mediterranean sea.

Changes have also been made to The Common European Asylum System, including more support for asylum seekers with special needs, more protection and support for minors and unaccompanied children and improvements to housing and conditions for asylum seekers.

Detention will only be used as a last resort – and more protection will be given to victims of torture.

Law enforcement agencies will also be granted limited access to a database of fingerprints from asylum seekers, to aid detection of those responsible for serious crimes such as terrorism, murder and rape.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of UK immigration solicitors and can advise on immigration and asylum cases, as well as offering advice on changes to the The Common European Asylum System.

Contact Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.