According to UN data, Libya hosts more than 600,000 migrants of forty nationalities
the Storm Daniel hit hard in Libya, which claimed the lives of at least 2,000 people and left 10,000 missing, spreading chaos in an already tense country. Years of fighting between rival militias have weakened the structures of the Libyan state to the point where there are two rival governments at either end of the country, operating with the support of local and foreign militias. that power. The chaos is a breeding ground for human trafficking networks, which encourage crossing to Europe through the Libyan coast, taking advantage of additional restrictions in Greece and Turkey.
The largest number of those who cross the Mediterranean to Italy from the west come from sub-Saharan Africa, but the migrants who take the eastern route from Libya come from neighboring Egypt as well as Pakistan, Bangladesh or Syria. Several investigations have shown that the eastern government will facilitate the entry of migrants into the country, allowing their stay through direct flights from Bangladesh and Syria. To cope with the longer journey, smugglers hire fishing boats to transport the migrants. In June, a fishing boat from Libya capsized off the coast of Greece, killing more than 700 people, mostly Pakistanis, Egyptians and Syrians.
According to UN data, Libya has received more than 600,000 migrants of forty nationalities, including 40,000 registered asylum seekers. Since 2015, it has returned more than 60,000 migrants, while an unspecified number of people remain in detention centers for illegal migrants, where human rights are severely violated, as reported by many humanitarian organizations. A UN investigation has revealed that there are indications that crimes against humanity have been committed against migrants, by state security forces and armed groups. Harassment is not only carried out in the centers, but also in open water and cases have been documented where live ammunition was used against migrants and refugees.
In the last five years, the European Union and the Italian Government in particular have increased their cooperation with Libya to stop the departure of migrants from its shores, with the formation of the Libyan coast guard and investment in missions to support the authorities. Italy has allocated at least 32.5 million euros since 2017 and the EU 59 million, according to data from the humanitarian organization Arci.
