August 15, 2017

Growing ordeals for those crossing the Mediterranean

located:	Libya, Turkey, Italy
editor:	Maria João Morais

Last weekend, Doctors Without Borders, Sea Eye and Save The Children announced the suspension of migrant rescues in the Mediterranean due to growing insecurity and clashes with Libyan coastguard vessels. The decision followed the hostility shown by Libyan authorities by recently chasing NGOs out of its waters. It is part of a new strategy for the Maghreb country which this summer has put efforts in the strengthening of its coastguard in order to avoid migrant departures and ensure control of rescue operations.

The change in attitude is part of a collaborated strategy with Italy to curb the mass arrival of migrants to the country and is supported by the European Union, who has invested 46 million Euros to reinforce Libyan border management. It is already yielding results, with a reduction of migrants entering the transalpine country. Last month, 11,459 people reached the coast of Italy, half the number registered in 2016.

At the same time, however, the new situation is leaving migrants trapped in Libya, where they are detained in centres with unacceptable conditions. Oxfam's recent report says migrants have to face rape, torture and slavery in Libya, a country described as "hell."

If the new strategy is being able to restrict the flow of migrants to Italy (after the EU-Turkey agreement drastically reduced incomers to Greece), arrivals to Spain have increased by four times this summer, which may indicate that we’re only facing a shift to a different part of Europe.

The situation once again shows the lack of coordination that guides the EU when dealing with the crisis of refugees seeking European soil fleeing conflict, poverty or persecution. Unfortunately, the EU continues to turn its back on migrants, without facilitating the necessary means for safe rescues.

Now, the shift in Libya’s attitude, working directly against the humanitarian effort of NGOs will result in more dangerous crossings for those who are willing to risk their lives in search for a better future.