Mission to Libya

Earlier this month the leader of the Nationalist Party delegation at the European Parliament, Dr Simon Busuttil, became the first Maltese MEP to lead a delegation of MEPs on a fact-finding mission. Eight MEPs arrived in Tripoli on December 4 for three days of intensive talks aimed at getting a first-hand account of the illegal immigration phenomenon. Our Brussels correspondent, Ivan Camilleri, discussed the results of this important mission with Dr Busuttil.

How did this mission come about?

This was not the first such mission of the European Parliament (EP) to investigate the problem of illegal immigration. In fact, the EP had already sent a group of MEPs to investigate the situation on the Italian island of Lampedusa and the results of that mission have already been discussed by the parliament.

Our mission to Libya came about as a follow-up to an EP resolution on Lampedusa, adopted earlier this year.

Is there a particular reason why you, out of more than 730 MEPs, were selected to lead this delegation?

I'm afraid that you have to ask the European Parliament as I can tell you that I was very surprised when the EP asked me to perform this task. All I can tell you is that I've been following the situation of illegal immigration for a long time and voiced on several occasions my thoughts about the subject during debates held at the European Parliament.

The fact that I am Maltese, and so from a country with a tradition of good relations with Libya, and at the same time from an island very much hit by the illegal immigration phenomenon, must have made me the right candidate for the job.

What type of meetings did you have with the Libyan authorities?

The delegation had some high-level meetings, including separate encounters with four ministers. These were very frank and open discussions on the nature of the problem and on possible ways of co-operation between the EU and Libya. An intensive session was also held with technical experts responsible for different departments dealing with immigration.

My delegation also had two field visits. One to a detention centre in Tripoli and the other to a maritime border in Humms, an hour away from Tripoli. We also met the UNHCR representative in Tripoli.

What was the outcome?

First of all, I want to make things clear. My delegation did not seek to accuse the Libyans, to point a finger at them or even to ask them to police Europe's borders. This was not our mission and that would have been a very bad start. We wanted only to evaluate the problem of illegal immigration and transmit the message that the EU and Libya need to co-operate in order to find a common solution to what is effectively a common problem.

I am very satisfied with the results. In fact, the visit successfully managed to increase the level of mutual understanding and also made us more aware of the situation in Libya.

It is being said that most illegal immigration in the Mediterranean is starting from Libyan coasts. Is this true?

I think it might be true but I can tell you that Libya is also facing big problems because of illegal immigration.

According to the Libyan authorities, Libya is itself facing a massive influx of immigrants especially from North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and this is leading to economic, political and social difficulties. We were told that 20 per cent of Libya's population consists of immigrants.

From our various meetings and on-site visits, it is evident that Libya lacks the organisational capacity and management skills to deal effectively with immigrants. Co-operation is therefore imperative and of interest to Libya as well.

How was the Libyans' approach towards your delegation?

There was a marked difference in the approach of the Libyan authorities to the issue of illegal immigration, at least in contrast to a previous EP delegation visit earlier this year.

There was a clear realisation on both sides that illegal immigration is a common problem requiring a clear political commitment to co-operate and find a common solution. We were treated very well by the Libyan authorities and found all the co-operation we needed.

You mentioned earlier that you were taken to a detention centre. These centres are always controversial. What kind of situation did you find?

We visited a detention centre in Tripoli and also had the opportunity to interview some the illegal immigrants being held there. The delegation requested and were granted interviews with some immigrants who were handpicked by the members of the delegation. They all told us that they were not being treated badly by the Libyans.

At least two of them, both Ethiopians, told us that they feared political persecution if they returned home. Yet, because Libya is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention, it does not differentiate between immigrants who need asylum and others. However, even in this field, we registered some progress as we were informed that Libya is currently drafting a law on asylum and this should be discussed within the year.

One of the problems, which also affects Malta, is that many illegal immigrants are starting their crossing to Europe on boats departing from the Libyan coastline. Do you think that Libya is doing enough to stop this?

Libya has no capacity to police its 2,000 km-long maritime border. It has deployed just two patrol boats and a very small coast guard force. This means that sea crossings are basically unhindered. Co-operation on this level is therefore very urgent.

But do you think that there is the political will? Why don't they involve the military?

At the moment, and from the impression I got, it does not seem that they are doing their utmost to prevent these crossings and that is why it is in the EU's interest to help the Libyans in this.

Libya needs incentives to control this situation and until now the EU is not doing enough to engage the Libyans in patrolling its borders. Now let's be frank. For Libya, it is probably better if illegal immigrants leave their country. They have a problem and the less they have the better. I know that this is not right but it's reality. As this situation is clearly not in Europe's interest, there is the urgent need to engage the Libyans and to start co-operation initiatives as soon as possible. We need to transform this problem into a win-win situation.

One other point is that although we might speak about this problem in terms of numbers one must keep in mind that we are speaking about human beings. This is a grave human tragedy and we are in duty bound to stop it. It is shocking to hear the Libyan Interior Minister say that in a sea crossing departing from Libya "there is a 60 per cent risk of dying". This is terrible and we can no longer ignore it.

What are the next steps you will be taking?

Well, now we have to deliver on what we discovered. My office, together with the Civil Liberties Committee of the EP, is already compiling a detailed report including all our aspects of our mission. It will then be discussed at committee level and will also propose suggestions on further steps to be taken vis-à-vis this problem and Libya.

We will also be putting more pressure on the Commission to act as quickly as possible with the Libyan authorities. Libya still has to give a reaction to a proposed Action Plan issued by the European Commission a few months ago, including concrete co-operation measures on combating illegal immigration. We will be putting more pressure so that both sides conclude and start the real on-the-ground work as soon as possible.