Amnesty International Accuses EU of Complicity in Libyan Migrant Crackdown

The crackdown, spanning both eastern and western Libya, targets refugees and migrants, including those fleeing the war in Sudan. Amnesty International reports that these individuals are being deported without any legal recourse or opportunity to seek asylum. The organization highlights that European funding for the Libyan Coast Guard has long facilitated the interception of vessels at sea, an policy now expanding to include direct engagement with eastern-based armed factions known for histories of war crimes.

Diana Elahawy, Amnesty's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, stated that extending cooperation to these groups demonstrates a disregard for international law and human dignity. Despite these accusations, the European Commission maintains that engagement with Libyan authorities is necessary to curb human trafficking and prevent fatalities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently defended this strategy, labeling the partnership indispensable for managing irregular migration routes toward Greece. However, the diplomatic friction remains evident; last summer, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner was expelled from eastern Libya shortly after arriving for scheduled talks.