Amnesty International Condemns EU-Libya Migration Deal
Amnesty International has strongly criticized the European Union's migration cooperation with Libya, labeling the North African country's treatment of migrants as 'racist' and accusing the EU of being complicit in human rights abuses. The human rights organization released a report on June 22, 2026, detailing how EU-funded programs to stem migration flows have led to the detention and mistreatment of thousands of migrants in Libya.
Details of the Report
According to Amnesty's report, EU member states have provided training, equipment, and financial support to the Libyan coast guard and other authorities, who then intercept migrants at sea and return them to Libya. Once back, migrants are often held in detention centers where they face torture, forced labor, and sexual violence. The report cites testimonies from survivors and documents at least 12,000 migrants currently held in official detention centers, with many more in unofficial facilities.
Amnesty International's Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, stated: 'The EU is outsourcing its border control to a country where migrants are subjected to horrific abuses with impunity. This cooperation is not only immoral but also illegal under international law.' The report calls on the EU to immediately suspend all migration-related cooperation with Libya and to establish safe and legal pathways for migrants.
EU Response and Broader Context
The European Commission has defended its cooperation, arguing that it is necessary to prevent deaths at sea and to combat human trafficking. A spokesperson for the Commission said: 'The EU's priority is to save lives and to disrupt the business model of smugglers. We are working with Libyan authorities to improve conditions for migrants and to ensure respect for human rights.' However, Amnesty's report counters that EU policies have directly contributed to a rise in abuses, with the number of migrants intercepted at sea increasing by 40% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
This is not the first time Amnesty has criticized the EU's migration policies. In 2023, the organization published a similar report condemning EU cooperation with Libya. The latest report comes amid a broader debate in Europe about migration, with several EU member states pushing for stricter border controls. The United Nations has also expressed concern, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, calling for an independent investigation into the treatment of migrants in Libya.
Impact on Migrants and Refugees
The report highlights the plight of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, who are particularly vulnerable to racism and discrimination in Libya. Many are subjected to arbitrary detention, extortion, and violence. One survivor quoted in the report said: 'They treat us like animals because of the color of our skin. I was beaten and my family had to pay a ransom for my release.' Amnesty estimates that at least 200 migrants have died in Libyan detention centers in the past two years due to neglect and abuse.
The organization is urging EU member states to provide humanitarian visas and to resettle refugees directly from Libya, rather than relying on the Libyan coast guard to intercept them. It also calls for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure accountability for human rights violations.
