The initiative, presented by the United Kingdom, was adopted by 14 votes for, and Venezuela's abstention, who called to deal with the problem of displaced persons and refugees trying to reach Europe from its root causes.
According to resolution 2240, for a period of one year, the member countries of the UN with naval assets in the area and reasonable suspicion of human smuggling are allowed to board the ships, "always attempting in good faith to obtain the consent of the State of the flag's vessel before exercising such authority."
It also decides the power to seize the inspected ships, should it be confirmed in migrant smuggling or human trafficking.
In its tenth article, the text authorizes to take all measures as dictated by circumstances to confront traffickers, while respecting international law and human rights.
The resolution frames the decisions of the Security Council in order to disrupt organized criminal groups engaged in smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings.
Thousands of people have tried in recent months to reach Europe to escape conflict and poverty in countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Hundreds have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea in the attempt, which helped trigger an unprecedented crisis of migrants and refugees since the Second World War (1939-1945).
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