On 22 March, the Libyan National Security Council presented a strategic plan to address the ‘growing crisis of irregular migration’. The council stressed that ‘ad hoc solutions are inadequate, calling for a comprehensive strategy involving legislative, diplomatic, economic, and security measures.’ The NSC called for:
1) Legislative Reforms should include an amendment of migration-related laws, including Decision No. 44 of 2013, which prohibits the interim government from signing agreements or memorandums of understanding that may limit Libya’s sovereignty, especially those related to defining borders or exploiting natural resources, and strengthen human rights legislation.
2) Regulations to legalize foreign residents’ status and prevent the employment of irregular migrants while promoting voluntary return through a dedicated program should be introduced.
3) The February 2017 Libya-Italy Memorandum of Understanding, which has worsened the migration crisis, should be repealed. The 2008 Treaty of Friendship between Libya and Italy, especially the article which aims to ensure non-interference in Libyan affairs, should be implemented and strengthened.
4) Libya should advocate for international cooperation to manage migration without settling migrants in Libya.
5) Economic measures should include the provision of financial incentives for migrants to return to their home countries, and partial salary support and humanitarian aid while they are in Libya.
6) Migrant detention centers should be closed step-by-step, while reintegration programs should be funded for migrants who have returned home.
7) On the security side, border monitoring must be strengthened, migrant registration conducted, human trafficking networks dismantled, and while security forces must be trained in human rights and international law.
8) The Coast Guard must be restructured to improve professionalism and independence. The council called for synchronized implementation of this strategy and urged international partners, including the EU, to share the financial burden of border management.
It also emphasized Libya’s readiness to assist migrants seeking voluntary return, while opposing efforts to settle migrants within the country. According to the council, these measures aim to ‘protect Libya’s sovereignty and alleviate the social, economic, and security impact of irregular migration.’