Italian trade unions and NGOs demand end to Italy-Libya memorandum - FreedomUnited.org

Italian trade unions and NGOs demand end to Italy-Libya memorandum

  • Published on
    October 26, 2022
  • Category:
    Anti-Slavery Activists, Human Trafficking, Law & Policy
Hero Banner

Around forty NGOs and three Italian trade unions have sent an appeal to the Italian government demanding the Italy-Libya memorandum not be renewed. Italy has until November 2 to suspend the memorandum. If they fail to do so, it is automatically renewed for another three years.

Italian trade unions CGIL, CISL and UIL stated that, “As unions, we wish to open a serious debate, at a European level and in Italy, to overcome the idea of immigration as an emergency and to demand actions that favor a shared and responsible management of migration.”

The modern slavery memorandum

The memorandum supports the Libyan authorities in actively intercepting and returning people to Libya rather than enabling them to be rescued and taken to a safe country thus putting them at risk of trafficking. In Libya, migrants face forced labor, arbitrary detention, torture, extortion and other forms of abuse.

Infomigrants reports,

“The agreement, which was created with the objective of sending economic aid and support to Libyan coast guards to try to reduce migrant trafficking across the Mediterranean, fight illegal immigration and strengthen security at the border, did not reach any of the desired objectives”, the unions said.

“Thousands of women, men and children seeking protection have been intercepted at sea and taken back to Libya to face detention and torture”, they stressed. “In fact, violence, abuse and illegitimate detention are unfortunately common in Libya where the political situation is particularly unstable.”

They added that “according to multiple reports, the most vulnerable are not guaranteed protection, the most elementary human rights are denied in Libyan detention centers [and there is] no transparency on the work carried out by Libyan coast guards, often colluding with traffickers.”

Join the fight!

Earlier this month, advocates took the streets across Europe to protest the memorandum and this past week protesters demonstrated in Rome against the Italian government’s renewal of an agreement.

The Freedom United community has also been tweeting at the Ambassador of Italy to Libya and the Ministry of the Interior, calling for the cancellation of the agreement. The memorandum is facilitating the enslavement of people in Libya and it cannot be allowed to renew!

Join the campaign against slavery in Libya – sign the petition today.

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

E.U. market will be tainted with forced labor without strong legislation

A report published on December 6 commissioned by a group of E.U. lawmakers warns that “a substantial volume of apparel tainted by Uyghur forced labor is moving into the E.U. without restriction.” The report indicates how E.U. policy does not do enough to weed out forced labor from large supply chains and, therefore, does not protect consumers from buying products made with Uyghur forced labor, according to The Guardian. Implication by state-sponsored

| Wednesday December 6, 2023

Read more