The European Union is again facing sharp criticism over its\nmigration-control policies after expanding cooperation with authorities\nin eastern Libya, a region under the influence of military commander\nKhalifa Haftar. The move has drawn scrutiny because human rights\norganisations have documented abuses against migrants and refugees by\nLibyan authorities and armed groups.<\/p>\n
Reuters reported on Tuesday (13 October 2026) that the EU had signed\noff on an additional \u20ac25 million in funding to expand migration-control\ncooperation in eastern Libya.<\/p>\n
The funding is intended to support border management, maritime search\nand rescue operations, and efforts to combat human trafficking.<\/p>\n
The decision marks an expansion of the EU\u2019s relationship with eastern\nLibyan authorities, even though the bloc diplomatically supports the\ninternationally recognised government based in Tripoli, in western\nLibya.<\/p>\n
However, the policy has raised questions about the consequences of\nsecurity cooperation with authorities operating amid Libya\u2019s political\nand military fragmentation.<\/p>\n
Several human rights organisations have warned that migration-control\ncooperation with Libyan authorities could strengthen security structures\nwith records of abuses against refugees and migrants.<\/p>\n
In July 2026, 31 civil society organisations, including Human Rights\nWatch, called for migration-control cooperation to be halted with Libyan\nauthorities involved in human rights violations.<\/p>\n
Their appeal was based on documentation of arbitrary arrests,\ndetention, violence and expulsions of refugees and migrants by various\nauthorities and armed groups in Libya.<\/p>\n
The controversy has become more salient after Human Rights Watch\nreported the alleged execution of at least 31 people by forces under\nKhalifa Haftar\u2019s command since late August 2026.<\/p>\n
The findings were not directly related to migration-control\noperations, but have heightened scrutiny of the record of the security\nforces controlling eastern Libya.<\/p>\n
As Europe seeks to reduce the number of migrants arriving across the\nMediterranean, the question is how the EU can ensure its border-control\npolicies remain consistent with its human rights obligations.<\/p>\n
Additional \u20ac25 million for eastern Libya<\/strong><\/p>\n Reuters reported that the additional \u20ac25 million in funding was\nannounced in a letter from European Commission President Ursula von der\nLeyen to EU leaders.<\/p>\n The funds are intended to expand migration cooperation in eastern\nLibya, including border management, search and rescue, and efforts to\ncombat human trafficking.<\/p>\n The move illustrates a shift in the EU\u2019s approach to Libya.<\/p>\n Until now, Brussels\u2019 official relations with Libya have largely been\nconducted through the internationally recognised government in\nTripoli.<\/p>\n But an increase in migrant departures from eastern Libya has prompted\nthe EU to broaden its cooperation with the authorities controlling that\nterritory.<\/p>\n Eastern Libya is under the influence of Khalifa Haftar and forces\nknown as the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF).<\/p>\n Haftar has been one of Libya\u2019s most influential military figures\nsince the country entered a protracted conflict following the fall of\nMuammar Gaddafi\u2019s government in 2011.<\/p>\n His forces control much of eastern and southern Libya, while\npolitical authorities allied with him compete with the government in\nTripoli.<\/p>\n In July 2026, the EU also announced plans to establish a Maritime\nRescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi.<\/p>\n The facility is intended to strengthen the coordination of maritime\noperations in eastern Libya.<\/p>\n The expansion of cooperation highlights the importance of\nHaftar-controlled territory to the EU\u2019s strategy for curbing migration\nto Europe.<\/p>\n However, Libya\u2019s fragmented political landscape makes relations\nbetween civilian authorities, security institutions and armed groups a\nkey consideration in implementing international cooperation.<\/p>\n Why is the EU working with Haftar\u2019s forces?<\/strong><\/p>\n Libya occupies a strategic position in European migration policy\nbecause its coastline faces directly on to the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n The country has long been one of the main departure routes for\nmigrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach Italy or Malta.<\/p>\n Many migrants come from sub-Saharan African countries and use Libya\nas a transit point before continuing their journey to Europe.<\/p>\n Journeys to the Libyan coast often cross desert areas and territories\ninfluenced by various human-smuggling networks.<\/p>\n Since Gaddafi\u2019s fall, the fragmentation of power in Libya has created\nnumerous challenges for border monitoring and law enforcement.<\/p>\n Armed groups, smuggling networks and security institutions aligned\nwith different authorities operate in an unstable political\nenvironment.<\/p>\n For the EU, reducing irregular crossings via Libya is part of efforts\nto manage migration and reduce the risk of deaths at sea.<\/p>\n In the letter cited by Reuters, Ursula von der Leyen said Libya\nremained a major country of departure for irregular crossings to the\nEU.<\/p>\n She also highlighted cooperation with the International Organization\nfor Migration (IOM) to support migrants\u2019 voluntary return from Libya to\ntheir countries of origin.<\/p>\n The policy shows that migration control is carried out not only at\nEurope\u2019s borders, but also through cooperation with transit\ncountries.<\/p>\n However, human rights organisations say that the implementation of\nsuch policies must take into account the safety of people intercepted at\nsea and those held under the supervision of Libyan authorities.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/criticised-over-human-rights-eu-still-expands-migration-cooperation-with-eastern-libya-1792407056",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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