Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Italy to cancel its controversial migration cooperation deal with Libya, describing it as a “framework for violence and suffering.” The Italy-Libya Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2017, will automatically renew for another three years on 2 November 2025 unless one of the parties withdraws or revises it.
The agreement provides material and technical support from Italy to the Libyan Coast Guard, which operates under the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU). According to HRW, this cooperation has enabled Libyan forces to intercept and return tens of thousands of migrants to Libya, where they face abuse, torture, and inhumane detention conditions.
“The Italy-Libya Memorandum of Understanding has proven to be a framework for violence and suffering and should be revoked, not renewed,” said Judith Sunderland, HRW’s Associate Director for Europe and Central Asia. She accused Italy of complicity in the Coast Guard’s actions, which include threatening NGO rescue ships.
HRW noted that civil society groups such as Refugees in Libya are mobilising against the deal and urging the EU to halt all migration cooperation with Libya. Despite reports of abuse, the EU continues to provide Libya with surveillance and vessels through its border agency, Frontex.
Recent incidents include Libyan patrol boats donated by Italy firing on the SOS Méditerranée’s Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch rescue ships in August and September, respectively.
HRW warned that migrants returned to Libya suffer arbitrary detention, torture, forced labour, and sexual violence in facilities controlled by militias. The UN has also found evidence of collusion between Libyan security forces and smuggling networks, linking them to crimes against humanity.
“Supporting abusive and unaccountable forces in Libya is indefensible,” HRW concluded, urging Italy and the EU to focus on saving lives and creating safe, legal migration routes.
