On October 6, 2016, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2312  in response to “the continuing maritime tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea that have resulted in thousands of casualties.” According to the press release, “the Council extended the authorization, first established by resolution 2240 (2015), for Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels they had reasonable grounds to suspect were being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking from Libya and to seize those confirmed to be engaging in those activities.” The Security Council made sure to require “full compliance with international human rights law, as well as good faith efforts to obtain the consent of the vessel’s flag State prior to any action.” It also added that the resolution did not “authorize interference with vessels entitled to sovereign immunity.” The vote passed with fourteen votes in favor with Venezuela abstaining.