Why a refugee deal with Libya is a bad idea

Author criticises a plan by Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta and the EU Presidency country for the period January-June 2017, to address the Central Mediterranean route of migration from Libya to Italy. The plan proposed in January 2017 would create a system under which Libyan and European vessels would intercept migrant boats in Libyan waters, returning them to Libyan ports.

In theory, these migrants would be processed by UNHCR and IOM officials funded by the EU. Those that qualify for asylum would be afforded passage to Europe, while those who do not would be resettled in Libya or repatriated to their countries of origin.

The author argues that the Maltese plan was less about managing migration and more about reducing the numbers arriving in Europe at any cost.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Managing migration along the Central Mediterranean Route – Commission contributes to Malta discussion http://www.europeansources.info/record/managing-migration-along-the-central-mediterranean-route-commission-contributes-to-malta-discussion/

Euro|Topics: Debates, January / February 2017: A refugee pact with Libya? / Can the EU rely on Libya in the refugee crisis? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/173364/a-refugee-pact-with-libya

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

The Guardian, 25.01.17: Migration: EU rejects proposals for Turkey-style deal for Libya https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/25/migration-eu-rejects-proposals-for-turkey-style-deal-for-libya

ESO: Background information: The EU’s migration policy in Africa: five ways forward http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eus-migration-policy-in-africa-five-ways-forward/

Malta Today, 27.01.17: Controversial Malta plan mooted ‘legal way’ of pushing back migrants http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/europe/73838/malta_plan_mooted_legal_way_of_pushing_back_migrants_#.WIuvY33w-2E

ESO: Background information: Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, Valletta, Malta, 26-27 January 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/informal-meeting-of-justice-and-home-affairs-ministers-valletta-malta-26-27-january-2017/

Politico, 27.01.17: Malta calls for new ways to send back more migrants http://www.politico.eu/article/malta-calls-for-new-ways-to-send-back-more-migrants-europeaan-commission-north-africa/

BBC News, 03.02.17: Migrant crisis: EU leaders agree plan to stop Libya influx http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38850380

IOM: IOM Libya Brief https://www.iom.int/countries/libya

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