Tackling people smuggling in the Med - Lords hear from EU military chief
On Thursday 3 March the House of Lords EU Committee will take evidence from the Director General of EU military staff Lieutenant General Wosolsobe, as part of its inquiry into the EU's naval mission in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia.
The Committee will ask Lt General Wolfgang Wosolsobe about his assessment of the mission so far, who's providing political oversight, the importance of working in Libyan territorial waters to the mission, and dealing with apprehended smugglers.
The House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee is holding a short inquiry into Operation Sophia, and how effectively it is in disrupting the business model of smugglers in the Southern Central Mediterranean.
At 11.00am the Committee will put a series of questions to the witness, via videoconference, which could include:
- How effective has Operation Sophia been in your view?
- Is it true that the migrant routes have merely shifted as a result?
- Who is providing political guidance and oversight of the mission?
- How important to the success of the mission is the ability to work in Libyan territorial waters in the next phase?
- How crucial is the destruction of vessels to the success of Operation Sophia?
- What happens to smugglers once apprehended?
- How well is the operation resourced?
The evidence session will take place at 11.00am, on Thursday 3 March, in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
