EU funding of the Libyan coastguard
11.9.2018
Question for written answer E-004604-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL)
In its answer to Question E-007284/2017, the Commission stated that ‘the North of Africa window of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa adopted a EUR 90 million programme’, one of the objectives of which was ‘to support international organisations to improve access to life-saving protection services and assistance to vulnerable migrants in detention’.
On 7 July 2018, Italy and Libya signed an agreement providing for the delivery of EUR 5 million to Libya to curb migration to Europe by stopping boats. The deal also includes military training.
In view of the systematic infringement of international law and human rights, the failure to provide assistance — of which Frontex is also guilty — and the persecution of humanitarian aid NGOs by the Libyan navy, we would like to know:
- 1.Does the Commission consider that the deal between Italy and Libya is compatible with international and Community law?
- 2.What specific measures is the Commission going to take to prevent human assistance from being criminalised, in accordance with European Parliament Resolution of 5 July 2018 (2018/2769(RSP))?
- 3.Will the Commission continue to finance the externalisation of borders to agents that violate human rights, and the creation of detention centres for migrants, even though they breach the abovementioned legal frameworks?