UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for international action against human smuggling, equating it to terrorism. Speaking at a global summit on organized migration crime in London, Starmer urged representatives from over 40 nations to strengthen cooperation to dismantle human trafficking networks.
Drawing from his experience as Director of Public Prosecutions, Starmer highlighted past successes in thwarting terrorist plots, such as the foiled Atlantic airliner bombings. He emphasized that tackling human smuggling requires the same level of intelligence-sharing and coordination used in counterterrorism efforts.
To combat this issue, the UK government announced new measures, including a £30 million investment to disrupt global trafficking routes and trace illicit financial flows fueling the operations. Additionally, £3 million will be allocated to the Crown Prosecution Service to enhance international legal collaboration.
The summit, attended by delegates from the US, France, Vietnam, and Iraq, also includes discussions with representatives from Meta and TikTok to explore strategies for curbing the online promotion of human smuggling.
Despite ongoing efforts, illegal migration via small boats across the English Channel has exceeded the figures of the past three years. British media report that Starmer remains resolute, stating that “the problem is not unsolvable” but requires coordinated action, intelligence sharing, and a crackdown on criminal networks at every stage.
