Amnesty International critiques Italy’s support of Libyan migration management, highlighting the dangers for migrants in Libya and calling for accountability for human rights abuses. The release of Libyan general Nijeem Osama al Masri, wanted for crimes against humanity, raises further concerns about Italy’s adherence to international justice standards.
Amnesty International has publicly condemned the Italian government’s endorsement of the Libyan authorities’ management of migration. During a session of the Italian Chamber of Deputies on March 11, Anneliese Baldaccini, Amnesty’s spokesperson, addressed concerns regarding Italy’s ongoing support for the Libyan coast guard and other authorities involved in migration management under the ‘Operation Safe Mediterranean.’ This support, as documented by Amnesty International, has grave implications for refugees and migrants in Libya.
Baldaccini emphasized that the current decree mirrors previous arrangements made in 2024 and criticized the partnership between Italy and the Libyan authorities for contributing to a climate of terror against migrants. She cited a UN report that appraises Libya as a deeply hazardous environment for intercepted individuals, citing systemic cruelty against migrants as state policy and urging Italy to cease support for institutions engaging in human rights abuses.
Furthermore, Baldaccini lamented the absence of accountability for militia leaders involved in these atrocities, advocating for the need to apply international legal frameworks to combat impunity effectively. She reiterated the necessity for a robust response to crimes against humanity in Libya, underscoring that the release of Libyan general Nijeem Osama al Masri exemplifies Italy’s failure to prioritize justice.
Notably, al Masri was apprehended in Turin on January 19 under an ICC warrant for serious offenses. However, he was quickly released by the Rome Court of Appeals, sparking outrage from human rights advocates as the Italian Minister of Justice failed to adhere to proper procedures. Baldaccini remarked on Italy’s lost opportunity to engage in international judicial processes and expressed concern over potential agreements with other countries such as Tunisia and Egypt that could replicate these issues.
The criticisms by Amnesty International underscore serious ethical concerns regarding Italy’s foreign policies and its alliances with Libyan authorities in managing migration. The organization’s call to enhance accountability for human rights violations in Libya highlights an urgent need for international mechanisms to address these issues. Moreover, the recent arrest and subsequent release of general Nijeem Osama al Masri illuminate the tensions between justice and political expediency in Italy’s approach to these challenges.
Original Source: www.infomigrants.net
