„Mitras“ (Migration, Traffic and Security) was the hungarian one-week-operation against „illegal migration“ and organised as a follow-up of „Hermes“ (that was ruled by belgian presidency last year). The operation in the end of April was carried out by 22 Member States. The aim was to analyse „main flows of illegal immigration“ on the main transport routes within the Schengen Area and „strengthening the fight against the illegal immigration and the related illegal activities“ inside the Schengen Area. „Mitras“ wants to help the developping of a „frequent evaluation system“ regarding „illegal migration“. The focus would be Schengen borders but also external borders.
1838 „illicit residencies“ were found along the main transport routes (roads, railway, air). Frontex was part of the mission, what clearly violates ist own responsabilities only for external borders. Norway and Malta participated also. Results were discussed at a workshop in Budapest 28-29 April 2011. „Migration flows“ should after the operation be mapped.
Operations like „Mitras“ or „Hermes“ are temporarily reinstallations of border controls, which are at the moment under heavy discussions concerning the blocking of migrants coming from Italy by the french government. Even the Commission sees a problem and reminds Belgium and Hungary to fully respect Article 21 of the Schengen Codex.
„Hermes“ was before in two phases: first a questionnaire was sent out, followed by a one-week control. Some member states considered this as too short. „Mitras“ should now be evaluated at a conference „on expert level“. Other crossborder operations are „Automotor“, „Danubius“, „Rails“ that target traffic on roads, railway and waters. EU police bodies didn’t like the pre-announcement of another common control named „Augias“, targetting illegal waste transport on a website of EU’s Tispol-Network (http://www.tispol.org/news/articles/belgians-spearhead-crackdown-illegal-waste-transport).
See the final report of „Hermes“ here: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2011/jan/eu-council-final-report-operation-„Hermes“-17816-10.pdf
