EU linked to Libya migrant abuses, Amnesty claims

Authorities in eastern and western Libya have intensified a crackdown on migrants and refugees in the last month with mass arrests, detentions and expulsions, Amnesty ​International said on Tuesday, accusing the EU of complicity in abuse.

Libya, where ‌control is split between rival western and eastern factions, has been a major transit route for people fleeing conflict and poverty towards Europe by the dangerous sea route since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled ​Muammar Gaddafi.

The EU and its member states have long supported and trained the ​Libyan coastguard, which intercepts migrants at sea. While the EU formally recognises ⁠only the Tripoli-based government, since last year it has also stepped up engagement with the ​rival authorities in the east.

Amnesty said the crackdown included mass arrests across multiple cities, forced ​evictions and expulsion of hundreds of migrants, including nationals of war-torn Sudan, without the chance to ask for asylum or challenge their deportation.

“The EU has long bankrolled migration control in Libya with its support ​to the Libyan Coast Guard, which has already made it complicit in horrific violations and ​abuses," said Diana Elahawy, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"Extending this ‌cooperation ⁠to eastern-based armed groups with records of committing war crimes and other abuses with impunity shows a shocking disregard, not only for international law, but also for human life and dignity,” Elahawy added.

The EU's executive European Commission, the Libyan government in Tripoli and the administration ​in the east did ​not immediately respond to ⁠requests for comment. EU officials have defended their cooperation with Libya as helping to save lives at sea and curb unlawful trafficking.

In ​a letter to EU leaders last week, Commission President Ursula von ​der Leyen ⁠said “continued EU engagement with Libya remains indispensable,” citing a rise in irregular crossings, towards Greece via the Eastern Mediterranean route.

“We are providing targeted financial and operational support to strengthen border management, ⁠search-and-rescue and ​anti-smuggling capacities, and reduce illegal departures and the loss ​of lives at sea,” von der Leyen said.

Last summer, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner travelled to eastern Libya for talks ​with authorities there but was expelled shortly after arrival.

-Reuters