Tripoli is attempting to promote itself as a central player in Mediterranean migration control. However, Libya's efforts have been criticized for failing to address underlying issues and improve the treatment of migrants.
Libya is trying to establish itself as a central player in migration management in the Mediterranean by hosting a series of high-profile international meetings and showcasing its operational capabilities, La Croix International reported.
On July 25, around 750 migrants from Niger and Egypt were pictured at a removal center in Tripoli, before being sent to their home countries. Libya sends home migrants found without documents semi-regularly.
The human rights organization Alarme Phone Sahara also reported that over 400 Nigerien migrants had been expelled from Libya to Niger in the last week, and another 1,000 are slated for expulsion.
Just a few days previously (July 17), the Libyan capital, Tripoli, hosted the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum, which brought together 28 delegations from African and European countries, including notable figures like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby.
The forum, which highlighted Libya's role as a critical migration gateway, was part of a broader effort by the country's provisional Government of National Unity (GNU) to present itself as a credible and competent partner in managing migration crises.
A naval base in Tripoli, which recently opened its doors to court foreign media, has been presented as a symbol of Libya's migration control efforts. The base is set to receive further support from Italian military personnel, underscoring Libya's growing role in European migration strategies. A strategy supported by the Italian government, who have long acted as a broker for the EU between Europe and Libya.
International collaboration and training
Since taking office in 2021, GNU Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah and his administration have actively engaged with international partners, inviting key figures such as Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela and representatives from the United States of Africa Command to discuss collaborative efforts and training.
Libya's role as a major departure point for migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, is underscored by the presence of up to 2.5 million foreigners in the country, with 70 to 80 percent having entered irregularly, according to Libyan police. The International Organization for Migration estimates that over 706,000 migrants were in Libya at the beginning of the year, though Libyan officials claim the actual number exceeds two million. The country has faced criticism for its treatment of migrants, with reports of detention conditions described as inhumane and abuses linked to militias.
In response to these challenges, Libyan officials have called for increased financial aid from wealthier countries to help manage the migration flow and improve conditions for migrants. They have emphasized the need for development projects in countries of origin to address the root causes of migration.
The GNU's efforts to position Libya as a key partner in migration management continue amid ongoing internal conflicts and international pressures, highlighting its central role in addressing one of the most critical issues in the Mediterranean region.
Despite these diplomatic successes, the GNU has struggled with internal divisions and regional rivalries, notably with Marshal Khalifa Haftar's forces in the east, who attempted to host their own migration conference.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has visited both leaders in Libya this year to talk about migration.
International agreements
To tackle irregular migration in the Mediterranean region, the EU, led by Italy, has adopted a strategy of partnering with several African countries to prevent migrants from reaching EU borders. This approach includes a series of bilateral agreements aimed at intercepting migrants before they enter Europe and facilitating their return if they are already there.
Libya has been a central focus of this strategy. Since the 2017 Malta Declaration, the EU has invested over 700 million euros in Libya to support the Libyan coast guard, fight smuggling networks, and set up migrant reception facilities.
However, this support has faced criticism due to reports of severe abuse and inhumane conditions faced by migrants in Libya. Despite the EU's intentions, there are significant concerns about whether these funds are effectively used or contribute to further abuses.
On May 7, 2024, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Libya to focus on migration issues. In meetings with Libyan leaders in Tripoli and Benghazi, including Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and General Khalifa Haftar, Meloni stressed continued cooperation on controlling migrant departures and combating human trafficking.
The visit included invitations for Libya to join the "Rome Process," Italy's latest effort to manage irregular migration by collaborating with Middle Eastern and African countries. Despite its aims to address migration's root causes, such as conflict and economic hardship, critics argue it largely represents another attempt at outsourcing Europe's migration challenges. Meloni’s delegation also signed agreements to enhance cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and health, and pledged aid for rebuilding in flood-affected eastern Libya.
NGOs like Mediterranea Saving Humans have accused Italy and the EU of being "complicit" in human rights abuses in Libya.
Allegations of human rights abuses
This year, although there has been a decrease in migrant departures to Italy, the number of migrants arriving in Libya has continued to increase; driven by the country's lack of law and order and ongoing political turmoil across the region. The UN has reported widespread human rights abuses befalling migrants who spend time in the country, including trafficking and torture.
According to rights group, Amnesty International suppression of dissent, arbitrary detention, and severe human rights abuses in Libya have intensified, with armed groups and militias targeting civilians and civil society. Thousands remain imprisoned under harsh conditions, and violence, including torture, forced displacement, and attacks on infrastructure, prevail.
In 2024, migrant arrivals in Italy from Libya fell by 47 percent compared to the previous year, while departures from Tunisia also dropped by 70 percent. However, the situation for migrants in Libya remains dire, with many facing violence and exploitation.
Discrimination against women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and ethnic minorities continues, while refugees and migrants face systemic abuse and forced expulsions from Libya. The ongoing political stalemate and pervasive impunity exacerbate the crisis, with little accountability for widespread violations.
The NGO, Human Rights Watch, has called for increased international pressure to improve conditions and halt abusive practices. They call for the EU to reconsider the funding they send to Libya, which they believe might be tacitly supporting abusive Libyan authorities.
Internal instability
Libya remains divided between two rival governments: the Tripoli-based GNU and the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS). Elections are stalled, with no confirmed date and disputes over constitutional amendments.
Ongoing conflicts, war crimes, and forced evictions, such as those by the Tarek Ben Ziyad Brigade in Benghazi, contribute to the chaos.
In Libya, persistent human rights violations and abuses by armed groups and militias continue as political factions vie for control nearly 12 years after Muammar Gaddafi's demise. Authorities in both eastern and western Libya are accused of targeting civic groups, harassing and detaining NGO staff, and creating obstacles for non-Libyans seeking visas.
The devastating impact of Storm Daniel in September 2023 led to 4,352 confirmed deaths, with over 8,500 missing and 43,400 displaced, highlighting failures in infrastructure maintenance and emergency response.
The justice system is weakened by corruption and armed group interference, with military courts trying civilians and inhumane conditions prevalent in detention facilities where migrants and asylum seekers are regularly detained.
