16 December 2013 - The Special Representative of the Secretary - General of the United Nations in Guinea-Bissau, José Ramos-Horta, calls on expeditious and effective work of the Commission put in place by the Prime Minister to investigate the transport, under threat, of illegal passengers in a TAP ( Portuguese Air Company ) flight to Lisbon.

Statement by the SRSG:

I learned about the incident involving dozens of passengers with questionable identification transported under threat in a TAP flight Lisbon - Bissau, which might prefigure human trafficking, thus legitimizing the immediate suspension of direct flights between Guinea-Bissau and Europe by the Portuguese company.

The possible involvement of Bissau-Guinean authorities in this case is of great concern, especially in the current context of an attempt to return to constitutional order for which security conditions are fundamental.

Regarding the Investigation Commission announced by the Prime Minister, we believe in swift and effective work in order to prevent a situation similar to those of previous investigations that were never completed, or disclosed, or that failed to find someone responsible.