French Senator Bernard Jomier has criticised European Union agreements with Libya to control migration, citing ongoing human rights abuses against refugees. His comments followed the European Commission’s push for new agreements with third countries to manage asylum centres.
During a Senate hearing, Jomier argued that Europe’s general migration policy is increasingly restrictive. He highlighted the Commission’s intention to outsource asylum centre management to nations like Libya, Tunisia, and Turkey, where documented human rights violations have occurred.
The senator also questioned the support of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Italy’s controversial migration agreement with Albania, which has faced legal challenges in both Italian and European courts. He opposed the externalisation of migration management, accusing the EU of shirking its responsibilities while ignoring violations of fundamental rights abroad.
Jomier pointed out that the EU had raised legal concerns in 2018 regarding the use of such centres, warning of the risk of violating the principle of non-refoulement. Despite this, agreements like those with Libya and Tunisia persist, raising questions about the EU’s commitment to its values.
Responding, the French Minister for European Affairs supported the swift implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, describing it as a balanced approach. He emphasised that only coordinated European solutions could effectively manage migration challenges.
International figures reveal that nearly 14,000 migrants were returned to Libya in the first eight months of 2024 during Mediterranean rescue operations. However, the International Organization for Migration reports that Libya’s official detention centres hold 5,000 migrants, a fraction of the total detained, many in secret prisons.
The EU continues to explore migration agreements, despite growing criticism of their human rights implications.
