Carmelo Abela, Minister of Home Affairs and National Security
The smuggling of migrants across Africa and, in particular, across the Mediterranean into Europe poses a number of serious concerns.
To start with, over the years, migrant smuggling activities have led to several cases of loss of life at sea, often resulting from the use of overcrowded or sub-standard vessels. By now it should be clear to one and all that the sole objective of migrant smugglers is to accumulate a fortune within the shortest possible time frame, without any regard whatsoever to human life. This alone is sufficient reason to intensify our efforts to put an end to the activities of these criminal networks. However, the human price of irregular migration is not only exacted at sea but also earlier in the course of the migratory route.
In fact, migrant smuggling does not only result in loss of life at sea because irregular migrants would be subjected to exploitation even when they are making their way from the countries of origin to their ultimate destination.
Such exploitation can take several forms and can be suffered either at the hands of the smugglers themselves, who demand steep prices for dangerous journeys, or at the hands of other people in countries of transit who are all too willing and able to abuse the vulnerable situation irregular migrants often find themselves in.
Moreover, one certainly cannot rule out the possibility that migrant smuggling, as a criminal activity, would result in proceeds that would be fed into other criminal activities, which could compromise the security of the countries in which their main activity is located. Potentially, the ramifications could extend beyond the countries of transit themselves.
The point is that while irregular migrants themselves are not criminals; the people who ‘facilitate’ their dangerous journey undoubtedly are.
The European Union and its member states, therefore, face a serious situation in which unscrupulous exploiters ‘manage’ irregular migration between Africa and Europe. In this context, what we need are measures that enable us to take control of the situation. Clearly, this can be done only in close cooperation with countries of origin and, in particular, with countries of transit, such as Libya.
The human price of irregular migration is not only exacted at sea but also earlier in the course of the migratory route
Libya is an ideal location for migrant smugglers given its geographical location. The situation of instability that the country has faced over the last few years has made it even more attractive to migrant smugglers who stand to benefit from the compromised capabilities of the authorities to curb or put their activities to an end.
Libya needs assistance in a number of key areas, including, for instance, the surveillance of tracts of its coastline that are currently being made use of by migrant smugglers. This is an area where both the European Union as well as its individual member states can help by engaging in training and other initiatives that would benefit the competent authorities in the North African country.
Of course, the Libyan government would also benefit from assistance in other areas that are not directly related to migration but that would enable the government to build its general capacity. Any initiatives would have to be discussed with the internationally-recognised Libyan government and carried out in full respect of Libya’s sovereignty.
Within such a context, bilateral agreements concluded between Libya and individual member states of the European Union may have an important role to play, contributing towards addressing the issues that are being faced by the Government of National Accord.
The conclusion of an agreement that was reached between Libya and Italy, therefore, constitutes a positive development that will, hopefully, pave the way for increased cooperation between Libya and the European Union.
I think this is a development we are all looking forward to.
Tonio Fenech, Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs
An estimated 15,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, a 57 per cent increase on the same period in 2016, as the number of winter sea rescues in the Mediterranean between Libya and Italy hit a new three-year high. A growing number of those fleeing Libya also report having lived there for years as foreign workers, a sign that the situation there is worsening.
The business of smuggling migrants into Europe is becoming more inhumane and, worse, murderous. The Libya Herald recently reported the discovery of the bodies of 22 sub-Saharan migrants on a Sabratha beach. The International Organisation for Migration stated it had received reports the migrants had been gunned down by the human-trafficking gang handling them after they had refused to board a craft because of the rough seas. A few days earlier, the Sabratha Security Directorate also reported the discovery of another 15 bodies in shallow graves. They too had been shot.
Trafficking in Libya has become an organised crime looking for a steady flow of business, and operations are not limited only to when the sea is calm. They are therefore forcing migrants to board boats despite the rough seas and threatening their lives if they refuse.
The solution is not how the world would like to see Libya but how the Libyans can coexist in peace and stability
In June, Italy signed an agreement with the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) to “curtail the flow of migrants”. The details of the agreement have not been made public, however, it appears that Rome has pledged money, training and equipment to help the UN-backed Libyan government to manage its vast desert borders and boost its limited coastguard fleet.
However, on the ground, the NTC government in Tripoli has not been able to take control of the country but, rather, the civil war that is in its third year seems to be escalating.
The NTC objective to create a united military force under a political umbrella to bring order, fight trafficking and terrorism is still very elusive.
The NTC Prime Minister, Fayez Seraj, recently stated he would like Russia to help overcome the deadlock in the country. In an interview with Reuters, he expressed hope that Moscow might act as an intermediary between him and Khalifa Haftar, a military commander supported by factions in the east of Libya. However, the US has expressed concerns that Russia may be aiding Haftar to gain more control of Libya to further strengthen his position in any future deal just like it did in Syria. Meanwhile, the fighting between Haftar’s forces and militias from western Libya continues.
In a recent summit, the EU pledged to fund migrant camps in Libya run by the UN-backed government and to supply equipment and training for the fight against people smugglers. However, humanitarian groups have criticised the deal, saying Libya is not safe. An agency quoted ‘Collins’, a 27-year-old migrant from Nigeria, saying: “In Libya, the police tell you they will deport you back to your country but they don’t. They just sell you to someone else. You cannot trust anybody in Libya. You never know if they are police or gangsters.”
Libya is an escalating tragedy and the world response is again timid. In the meantime, innocent people are killed, drown or lead lives of oppression. All this is happening 350 kilometres away from us.
Libya needs to decide its destiny. The solution is not how the world would like to see Libya but how the Libyans can coexist in peace and stability. Everything should be on the table including the option of an East Libya and a West Libya. Forcing a solution will only see a civil war for many more years until there is finally a “conquering” force. In the meantime, without a government in control, the agreement that Italy signed, the EU pledges and the political rhetoric will have no effect on migration flows.
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