UN General Assembly
2015

The first priority must remain the saving of lives. This is our moral duty as human beings. Europe intensified the search and rescue operations in an attempt to reduce the loss of lives. We are also providing assistance and refuge to those who qualify. Nevertheless, an important and necessary part of the European Union effort requires greater commitment to taking on the smugglers before they can put the lives of more innocent people at risk. The international community should be under no illusion. When it comes to those criminals, we are dealing with individuals 15-29562 47/54 A/70/PV.19 30/09/2015 who feed on the desperation of innocent people. In the process, they are making a fortune — and the money is also being used to finance other criminal activities, probably even including terrorism. Those people must be held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice.