Drug cartels continue to threaten Europe

At a conference titled “Persecuted Asian Minorities in the EU: Legal Remedies and Humanitarian Aid” recently organized by Peace for Asia Switzerland, Aye Kari Soe, a human rights activist and president of International Burmese Students, discussed her recent trip to Thailand to investigate the human rights violations currently taking place in Myanmar. In her talk, she discussed how Myanmar poses a major threat to the global war on drugs.

Soe noted that Myanmar is responsible for many of the drug problems that America and Europe are facing: “Not only traditional drugs like cocaine and heroin, but also synthetic stimulants are flooding Europe. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Myanmar is the largest producer of meth and other drugs that are not yet fully traceable. These drugs are being transported worldwide, which is affecting our citizens here in Europe. The US has been struggling with this alarming problem for years, with deaths involving synthetic opioids. Europe must therefore act quickly to prevent this supply from reaching our shores and harming our citizens.”

“The people who produce these drugs often do not do so of their own free will,” she stressed. “Many are enslaved, sold and forced to work, their passports confiscated and their freedom taken away. In Myanmar, young Rohingya are kidnapped and sold to industries such as fishing, where they are exploited by multi-million dollar companies that export products to Europe. That is why I am calling for more transparency in our supply chains. We must ensure that we not only fight against human rights violations in Europe, but also stand strong and stand up for human rights for everyone, everywhere.”

It is not only Myanmar that poses a serious threat in terms of drug trafficking. Pakistan and Afghanistan, in particular Pakistan’s western border, are home to the largest drug cartels heading to the EU. MEP Fulvio Martusciello noted in his speech at the conference: “A report by the Atlantic Council highlighted the emergence of some extremist groups in Pakistan as the main route of Afghan terrorist groups engaged in drug trafficking to the EU.” He indicated that the EU and the Pakistani government, as well as South Asian countries, should work together to counter this phenomenon.

Ramen Rahangmetan, co-founder of the Circle of Sustainable Europe, added at the conference that these drug cartels are also exploiting refugees who want to flee to Europe. In fact, a recent report in the Guardian found that these drug cartels are even forcing migrant children to work as soldiers to smuggle cocaine into Europe.

Rahangmetan said: “Traffickers prey on the weak, charging exorbitant fees and subjecting migrants to violence, forced labour and sexual exploitation. These refugees are victims twice: once in their home countries and again when they are smuggled to Europe. The EU must strengthen its efforts to combat trafficking by working with international bodies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. We must ensure that asylum seekers are protected not only from persecution at home, but also from the predatory forces that await them on their journey to safety.”

Peace for Asia Switzerland is a non-profit investigative collective focused on human rights violations in Asia. Senior journalists, activists and political leaders participate in this forum with insights from the region. Since its inception in 2020, they have engaged with various heads of state, UN officials and diplomats through campaigns, conferences and webinars. Anhelina Tkachenko, the conference moderator, recently joined Peace for Asia Switzerland and is committed to furthering the association’s mission and making a meaningful impact on human rights.