From Freedom United

By Monica Burns
Campaigner, Freedom United

People in Libya are being locked away in cells which are so cramped that they must take turns to lie down to sleep,[1] right now as the world talks about International Migrants Day. But empty words won’t reach the men, women and children who have been kidnapped by Libyan militias in the name of “migration management” and are facing extortion and torture or being sold into slavery.[2]  

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We know that not everyone’s words and actions will be aligned this week. Last year, the European Commission released a statement saying “On International Migrants Day, the European Union reiterates its strong commitment to protect the dignity and human rights of all migrants.”[3]  

Renewing support for Libya as an E.U. migration management partner: Despite years of evidence of the enslavement and torture of migrants in Libyan detention facilities, the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Italy and Libya, and backed by the E.U., was extended without amendments in 2020.

Funding Libya’s exploitative migration system: Around half a billion dollars from the E.U.’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has been dedicated to Libya’s harmful migration management efforts.[5]

Strengthening the Libyan Coast Guard: The E.U. has supplied boats, cars, radios, uniforms, training and more to the Libyan Coast Guard.[6] They have built their capacity to ensure they capture as many people as possible, despite knowing the fate that awaits detainees. 

Expanding the Libyan Coast Guard’s jurisdiction: In 2018, Italy, with the E.U.’s support, helped Libya get approval to expand its Coast Guard jurisdiction nearly a hundred miles off its own coast, increasing their chances of capturing people fleeing the country.[7] 

Criminalizing NGO rescue operations: Italy and other E.U. countries have smeared NGOs, accusing them of “colluding with people-smugglers”, and criminalized their efforts to rescue people in the Mediterranean and bring them to safety.[8] 

Call the E.U. out

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It’s time to pressure the E.U. to stop facilitating modern slavery in Libya. There’s a real chance to make a difference if we all act together and fast. Libya is days away from a presidential election. A leaked document from the European Commission has confirmed that the E.U. will hold negotiations with Libya on migration management following the elections.  

Now is the time to make it abundantly clear to the E.U. that we will not tolerate this hypocrisy any longer.

Ask your friends and family to tell the E.U. to stop supporting Libyan militias to capture and enslave migrants, and demand they set up safe relocation mechanisms.