Fighting Human Trafficking at Sea Commander Dr. Marten MEIJER Netherlands Navy NATO Support to African Union Dr.marten.meijer@gmail.com and @jer_mei Maritime Safety and Security for the African Union

Dr.marten.meijer@gmail.com. DISCLAIMER: The perspectives in this presentation are not necessarily identical to perspectives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the African Union or the Netherlands Government. Please provide any feedback or questions to: Dr.marten.meijer@gmail.com.

Small, smaller, smallest Sentinel Class Cutter of the US Coast Guard launches Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) Small, smaller, smallest

Outline Maritime Safety and Security Arrived and drowned victims of human trafficking into Italy and Spain Law of the Sea in a Nutshell Libya and the Perfect Storm? Contributions of the African Union Contributions of NATO Contributions of the Netherlands 29 SEP 2017 4

Maritime Assistance Security Operations Combat Operations Cooperative Search and Rescue Surveillance and Control Humanitarian / Disaster Relief Environmental protection AU Naval Presence Fisheries Inspections Diplomacy Legal Naval Blockade Use of Force Counter Piracy Human Trafficking Embargo Military Drugs Trafficking environmental protection Coercive Combat Operations Enforcement Afloat Ashore Counter Air/ Surface / Subsurface / Mine Warfare Convoy Protection Coast Guard Operations (12 nautical miles zone) Amphibious Operations Land Strike Ballistic Missile Defense 5

Arrived and Drowned African Victims of Human Trafficking into Spain and Italy by Sea in January- April 2016 and January – April 2017

3. Law of the Sea in a Nutshell a. Sea is Free, Mare Nostrum b. Sea is dangerous, takes many lives c. 12 Miles Zone (ca 20 km) belongs to Country d. Obligation to Save our Souls ---…--- e.More than 5.000 African citizens drowned already f. No accidents, but man-made humanitarian disaster by criminal networks 29 SEP 2017

4. Libya and the Perfect Storm? a. NATO operation Unified Protector (2011) damaged Libya's security infrastructure: no follow-on activities for restoring safety and security b. Criminal Networks for Human Trafficking are used for funding of Violent Extremism c. Libyan Coastguard is being trained but not sufficiently manned and equipped yet 29 SEP 2017

Amnesty International Report July 2017: The Perfect Storm! a. The Failure of European Policies in the Central Mediterranean b. The route between Libya and Italy has become the primary means for refugees arriving in Europe, and the most hazardous. c. Libyan Coastguard should: counter swarming by swarming; stay in territorial waters, adhere to international humanitarian law 29 SEP 2017

5. Contributions of African Union a. Border control in (Northern) Africa by fighting Criminal Networks of Human Trafficking, tackle root causes, break the chain and every shackle: chain breaker is small! b. Sharing the burden of African Nations in Need c. Provide a future to young males: Harness the African generation dividend d. Executive Council 2017 calls 2019 the year of refugees and returnees; asks the Commission to Work in close collaboration with relevant international partners to address migration flows of Africans through the Mediterranean Sea and other channels 29 SEP 2017

6. Contributions of NATO a. Restore Security Institutions in Libya, continue NATO operation Sea Guardian b. Standardization of Communication and Control of Maritime Operations c. Support Network of Mediterranean Coast Guards d. Surveillance at the high seas and littorals to detect and disrupt patterns of human trafficking 29 SEP 2017

7. Contributions of the Netherlands a. Netherlands Navy expertise with fighting drugs trafficking in Caribbean b. Cutter mothership launches rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) c. Surveillance by Maritime Patrol Aircraft is critical and swarming of small boats d. Dutch Industry provides cutters and RHIBS e. Dutch navy can train ships captains and crew f. Dutch government invests in Libyan coastguard vessels 29 SEP 2017