The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy proposed yesterday a new EU sanctions regime to combat the illicit trafficking of migrants, human trafficking, and other serious forms of organized crime, including the trafficking of firearms and illicit drugs, as well as money laundering.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that “we are presenting a new sanctions regime against traffickers and smugglers of migrants. We all share a common goal: to put an end to their business and save the lives of thousands of people who dream of a better life. In Europe, we must be the ones who decide who arrives and under what circumstances. Organized crime destabilizes societies, undermines democracy and the rule of law, and weakens economic stability and security.”
The initiative was announced by the President of the Commission during the 2025 State of the Union address and aims to dismantle the business model of traffickers, restrict their movements, and cut off their profits.
Today’s proposals focus on: illicit activities that originate outside the Union; behaviors related to migrant trafficking, human trafficking, trafficking and other activities linked to illicit drugs, the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms, and money laundering; and identified individuals and entities participating in such activities.
The proposed restrictive measures are: the immobilization of assets and the prohibition of making funds or other economic resources available to individuals or entities included on the list, and the prohibition of travel to prevent entry into EU member states or transit through them of individuals included on the list.
