Alleged deal with Libyan militias to stem migrant flows

5.9.2017

Question for written answer E-005531-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Elly Schlein (S&D) , Ana Gomes (S&D) , Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NGL) , Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL) , Judith Sargentini (Verts/ALE) , Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL) , Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D) , Barbara Spinelli (GUE/NGL) , Ska Keller (Verts/ALE) , Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) , Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE) , Cécile Kashetu Kyenge (S&D) , Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D) , Dietmar Köster (S&D) , Ulrike Lunacek (Verts/ALE) , Eva Joly (Verts/ALE) , Birgit Sippel (S&D) , Tanja Fajon (S&D) , Julie Ward (S&D) , Massimo Paolucci (S&D) , Flavio Zanonato (S&D)

According to a report by The Associated Press, Libyan security officials and militia members have revealed that the country’s government in Tripoli has allegedly paid militias, which are also implicated in human trafficking, to stem the flow of migrants in exchange for equipment, boats and salaries, under a deal backed by the Italian Government. One of these militia groups has been also identified by the United Nations Panel of Experts on Libya as being included among the main facilitators of human trafficking.

According to The Associated Press’ sources, this is one of the main reasons behind the decrease in arrivals from Libya over the past two months. The European Union has been providing significant support to the Libyan government, including through the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, and with a project involving funding of EUR 46 million, aimed at training Libya’s coast guard, reinforcing its borders and improving conditions for migrants in detention centres.

Is the Commission aware of the existence of this kind of deal with local militias? What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that European funds do not end up in the hands of militias and human traffickers? If these allegations are confirmed, would it consider a suspension of the funding?