Libya: EU-Italy's Migration Deals - A Deadly Cost for Fewer Arrivals
The cooperation of the European Union (EU) and Italy with Libya to curb migration across the Mediterranean Sea is marred by human rights concerns. While they celebrate a drop in arrivals, a grim reality awaits those who attempt the journey.
Intercepted at sea by the EU-funded Libyan coastguard, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are returned to Libya, where they face a relentless series of human rights abuses. Detention centres are rife with torture, ill-treatment, extortion, and trafficking. Many die at sea or go missing, with hundreds of deaths and disappearances reported in 2024 alone.
This situation demands immediate action. The EU and Italy must prioritise human rights in their migration policies. Funding for the Libyan coastguard should be conditional on respect for fundamental human dignity and compliance with international law. Together, the EU, Italy, and Libya can find lasting solutions that protect human life and uphold the basic rights of all.
