Nothing seems to discourage migrants from coming to Libya with a final destination in Europe. Only international pressure can change something, experts say
In recent years Libya and Tunisia have become the most popular departure countries for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. Both countries are partners of the EU in trying to limit migration flows.
A few days ago the Italian news agency Nova reported that Libya is now the number one departure country for migrants bound for Italy, despite the fact that arrivals appear to be decreasing. From the beginning of 2024 to July 5, about 4,755 migrants arrived in the Italian islands from Libya, a decrease of 47% compared to 2023. Departures from Tunisia decreased by about 70% to 10,247 migrants. The decline in departures, however, does not suggest that fewer people are leaving Libya. On the contrary, according to humanitarian organizations in these countries, there is an increase. It is difficult to gather reliable statistics as Libya has been experiencing a civil war and ongoing political turmoil for a decade.
“We continue to see widespread human rights violations of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya,” Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office, told DW.
The EU has levers of pressure in Libya
According to the UN, human rights violations include human trafficking, torture, forced labor, extortion, starvation in intolerable conditions of detention and mass refoulements.
Tim Eaton, a researcher at the London-based think tank Chatham House, tells DW that the number of migrants is increasing, even though the dangers of traveling through Libya are well known: “In a way, the same obstacles that make the journey difficult through Libya are also reasons why people seek to reach the country. The lack of respect for laws and the breakdown of public order in the country, as well as the ability of traffickers to continue to operate, often in collaboration with government officials, show that these networks are particularly powerful and difficult to combat.”
Speaking to DW, David Giambio, from the human rights NGO Refugees in Libya, maintains his optimism: “I am hopeful that there is a possibility of improving the situation of migrants in the country, but this is only possible if the EU decisively fights against politicians, paramilitaries and government bodies, which have a say and a role, even indirectly, in the trafficking of migrants”.
Editor: Stefanos Georgakopoulos
Source :Skai
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