Libya’s coast guard abuses migrants despite E.U. funding and … – Washington Post
ZAWIYAH, Libya The video showed a small rubber dinghy crowded with terrified migrants. Next to it, a uniformed man in a Libyan coast guard boat was yelling and wielding a bullwhip.
The whip slithered through the air and struck a shirtless migrant. The Libyan cracked the whip again, forcing some of the panicked migrants to fall into the sea and struggle to clutch the side of the boat.
We have to punish them to make them calm down, said Ramzi Ali, a member of the coast guard unit, shrugging after playing the video on his cellphone. We need to keep control. They can take our life.
The European Union has poured tens of millions of dollars into supporting Libyas coast guard in search-and-rescue operations off the coast. But the violent tactics of some units and allegations of human trafficking have generated concerns about the alliance.
The sea incident and other accounts of abuses come amid a deepening battle between human rights groups and authorities over the flow of tens of thousands seeking refuge to Europe.
(Jason Aldag,Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)
The tensions are particularly prevalent in the seaside city of Zawiyah, where the coast guard is aligned with a powerful militia and armed groups are fighting to control revenue from smuggling people and oil. The factions are among the European Unions dubious partners in efforts to stop mostly African migrants from reaching its shores.
To most migrants, being rescued by the coast guard means a forced return to Libya, where they are exposed to more abuse, incarcerated and even sold again to smugglers.
They beat everyone and took everything, said Jafar Khalifa Ibrahim, 36, an Ethiopian migrant, recalling the April day that he and scores of others in a rickety boat were intercepted by a coast guard unit, robbed of their few possessions and deposited in an abysmal detention center.
[They are not treated like humans]
In the spacious office of the Zawiyah coast guard, a rail-thin commander seated on a couch devoured his lunch. Abd al-Rahman Milad was tired and hungry after a long night of patrolling.
His deputy, Ali, had just proudly shown the video to a Washington Post journalist. When he heard Alis explanation for whipping migrants, Milad nodded in approval.
Six years ago, at the start of the Arab Spring uprising, Milad left Libyas Naval Academy and joined rebels who were revolting against Moammar Gaddafis regime. I was shot nine times during the revolution, said Milad, 31, raising a scarred hand.
After Gaddafis fall and death, militias vied for control of territory, influence and the North African nations petroleum resources. Milads powerful tribe the Awlad Bu Hmeira seized Zawiyahs refinery. With the help of his tribe, Milad took control of the port and made himself head of the local branch of the coast guard, U.N. investigators said in a report last month.
He soon became known by his nom de guerre: al-Bija.
With three competing governments, including one backed by the West, rule of law is largely absent in Libya today. Power is mostly in the hands of militias, which run town councils and operate the coast guard in coastal cities.
NATO airstrikes in 2011 to help oust Gaddafi destroyed much of the Libyan Navys fleet and its ability to patrol its 1,100-mile coastline. With the economy shattered, coast guard employees have not been paid in months. Meanwhile, Libya has become the largest crossing point for migrants to Europe. More than 70,000 have reached Italy this year, and more than 2,100 have drowned trying.
[A day in Libyas capital, just as the civil war reignites]
Warlords such as Milad have filled the void, dispatching their crews to patrol Libyas waters with boats labeled Libyan Coast Guard.
Milad said his men lack resources and get little credit for their operations. Why doesnt Europe do more to support smaller coast guards like us? he said. We stop oil traffickers. Weve rescued thousands of migrants and taken them back to Libya.
But U.N. investigators and human rights activists say Milad and his crew patrol the seas to protect their own criminal activities.
A militia called the al-Nasr Brigade, commanded by one of Milads tribesmen, became active in migrant smuggling and started a detention center, said U.N. investigators. Milad and his coast guard unit, they added, are closely linked to the militia in oil and migrant smuggling. Milads crew hands migrants over to the detention center, a squalid facility where they are starved and often beaten. The center, U.N. investigators said, is used to sell migrants to other smugglers. And female migrants were sold on the local market as sex slaves.
The U.N. investigators said that Milad and other coast guard members are directly involved in the sinking of migrant boats using firearms. Some Libyan and Western security officials said the coast guard charges smugglers a fee for each boat, and those who do not pay are targeted.
Milad denied that his units traffic in migrants. The smugglers, he said, wear uniforms similar to those worn by his men, so the international aid agencies think the coast guard is trafficking in humans.
They cant prove we are involved, he said.
A spokesman for Libyas Navy, under control of the Western-backed government, called the accusations against the coast guard fabrications.
Instead of having these organizations support us to save more people, they attack us as if they are aiding the smugglers not the Navy, said the spokesman, Brig. Gen. Ayoub Qassem. He said Milads coast guard unit is one of the most active in rescue missions and in stopping illegal migrations, and so he has many enemies.
At a meeting in Brussels last month, E.U. leaders described the Libyan coast guard as a key ally and pledged more financial assistance to Libyas Navy.
Catherine Ray, an E.U. spokeswoman, said that the organization takes seriously the allegations against the coast guard, and that better training was a way to improve conditions. To date, she said, 133 members of the Libyan coast guard have been trained in courses that puts a strong focus on human rights and womens rights.
Humanitarian organizations are unconvinced.
They say gun-wielding coast guard units have tried to stop them from rescuing migrants at sea. Several migrants in detention centers in Zawiyah and Tripoli told The Washington Post that the coast guard seized their cellphones, money and jewelry.
European authorities should not be providing support to the Libyan coast guard, either directly or indirectly, said Annemarie Loof, an operational manager with Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian group. This support is further endangering lives.
Milad denied that his men robbed migrants but said that sometimes migrants give them phones and other possessions for safekeeping.
In Zawiyah, the mere mention of Milads name allows passage through militia checkpoints. He and other coast guardsmen own Mercedes and expensive SUVs. When asked how they earn money, Milad said they had other jobs but declined to provide more details.
But his power is also under threat.
In recent months, clashes have erupted between tribes for control of the citys migrant smuggling trade.
In April, Milad and his crew spotted a boat filled with migrants. As they approached, smugglers in another boat opened fire on them, he said. Less than an hour later, four of the smugglers were dead, and three others injured.
The smugglers belonged to another influential tribe, and in Libya, tribal allegiance trumps all other relationships.
We tried to avoid shooting them because of the tribal situation, said Milad. But we had to fight back.
As per custom and tradition, elders from both tribes negotiated a blood-money settlement to prevent revenge attacks. Milad was ordered to pay $185,000 to the smugglers families.
But Milad is considering not handing over the sum, which would allow his rivals to buy more weapons and influence.
If we pay, do you think they will not chase us again? he said.
Read more:
A European deal with Libya could leave migrants facing beatings, rape and slavery
Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Link:
Libya's coast guard abuses migrants despite E.U. funding and ... - Washington Post
- Libya's reconstruction of Derna: 'A windfall for the Haftar clan' - Le Monde - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Court convicts former ambassadors, health officials, and cultural attachs at Libyan mission in Ukraine - Libya Herald - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Libyan European Transport Forum takes place in Tunis from 19 to 20 September - Libya Herald - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Sudan Situation: Sudanese Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Libya - As of 15 Sep 2024 - ReliefWeb - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Egypt follows deadly overturning incident of vehicle carrying Egyptians in Libya - Egypt Today - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- From Russia to Libya: Israel Has Adopted the Appalling Practice of Drafting Asylum Seekers - Haaretz - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- With reconstruction in mind, can Turkey-Egypt thaw offer lifeline for Libya? - Al-Monitor - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- FIFA Futsal World Cup: Libya emerge victorious, Angola stumble in opening ties. - CAFOnline.com - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Libya's central bank chaos must serve as a wake-up call for the West - Euronews - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- One year since flooding devastated Libya - WBUR News - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Civil society should work together to be the drivers of change and overcome the divide in Libya, says USG DiCarlo [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Frontex Denies Involvement in Pushbacks and Defends 400 Million Expansion Tender Thousands Pushed Back to Niger from Algeria... - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- One-Year Commemoration of the Eastern Libya Floods - UNICEF - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Internal Shadows: The Unseen Plights of Libya's IDPs - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Focus - Libya: One year after deadly floods, reconstruction in full swing in Derna - FRANCE 24 English - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya's Derna floods: Mourning a year later the loss of mums, dads and kids - BBC.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Turkey interested in Libya's offer of offshore exploration, says energy minister - Reuters - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- A year on, Libya flood survivors grieve for their dead - Reuters - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya, EIA forecasts oil production of 600.000 barrels in the remaining months of 2024 - Agenzia Nova - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- UNICEF Fact sheet: One - Year commemoration of the Eastern Libya floods [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Goals and summary of the Benin 2-1 Libya in the Qualifiers CAF - VAVEL.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya is a step further towards adapting to climate change: GIZ - Libya Herald - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- In Libya's Derna, Haftar using reconstruction to boost popularity one year after floods - Middle East Eye - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Top U.S. General Meets With Alleged War Criminal in Libya - The Intercept - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya: Internal Security Agency must be held accountable for deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention - Amnesty... - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- UNICE Fact sheet: One - Year commemoration of the Eastern Libya floods [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Eastern Libya signs MoU to construct its section of the Egypt Libya - Chad Transit Road Project - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya factions agree to appoint central bank governor in bid to ease crisis - Reuters.com - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Never mind the BRICS, focus on Libya - Duvar English - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya Construction Expo 2024 will be held from 28 to 31 October at Tripoli International Fairgrounds - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- AmCham Libya supporting high-level Libyan delegation to WEFTEC 2024 5 to 9 October, New Orleans, Louisiana - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya at the brink of an imminent power crisis due to shortage of fuel - The North Africa Post - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Benin vs Libya Prediction and Betting Tips | 10th September 2024 - Sportskeeda - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Egyptian food exports to Libya amounted to US$ 183 million up to July an increase of 18 percent - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Turkey Blocks Libya Arms Inspection For 12th Time, Raising Concerns About Commitment To Embargo - GreekCityTimes.com - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Africa News Tonight: China-Africa summit winds down, UN tries to end dispute over Libya central bank, Malawi aims to boost road safety - VOA Africa - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Notorious human trafficker sanctioned by the UN killed in Western Libya - The Jerusalem Post - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya central bank governor, other bankers flee to avoid militias, FT says - Reuters - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Expert predicts revolution in Libya, fears crisis far worse than 2011 - The Jerusalem Post - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: UN report urges accountability for years of human rights violations in Tarhuna - OHCHR - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Africa File, August 29, 2024: North African Competition in the Sahel; Libya on the Edge; Burkina Faso is Spiraling - Institute for the Study of War - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- 'Crumbling': Libya's warring factions dig in for fight over oil profits - Middle East Eye - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Oil Drops in Technical Correction From Rally on Libya Disruption - Yahoo Finance - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya upheaval: Why Turkey is mum over heightened tensions in Tripoli - Al-Monitor - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: The President of the Senate asks to shed light on the death of Bija - Agenzia Nova - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya : Ousted central bank governor flees with the keys - Africa Intelligence - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- U.S. calls for steps to maintain the credibility of the CBL - Libya Herald - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- U.S. crude oil rebounds nearly 2% on major supply disruption in Libya and Iraq output cut - CNBC - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: Italian cuisine protagonist of the Mena Agro Food Expo 2024 in Benghazi - Agenzia Nova - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Is there an end in sight for the Libya oil crisis? - The National - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- All of Libya Held Hostage by Gunmen Targeting the Central Bank - The Washington Institute - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Sophie Kemkhadze joins as the new Resident Representative in Libya - United Nations Development Programme - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- EU official targets Trkiye over growing influence in Africa, Libya - Trkiye Today - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libya's instability will worsen further without a unified government and elections, UN envoy says - The Associated Press - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Will turmoil in Libya spill over into the region? - Al Jazeera English - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya: Behind abduction and failed central bank coup in Tripoli - Al-Monitor - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- UN officials warn of further instability in Libya without elections soon - The Jerusalem Post - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Production at Libya's Sharara oilfield rises to 85,000 bpd to supply refinery, sources say - Reuters - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Small volumes of gas flowing to Italy from Libya - MEED - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya: the Brega oil company distributes fuel to citizens affected by floods in the south - Agenzia Nova - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libyan Industry Union organises workshop on Libyan Industrial Exports - Reality and Prospects - Libya Herald - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Conflict Is Brewing in Libya Once Again - OilPrice.com - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya's Almadar Aljadid, Vox Solutions ink SMS and voice gateway deal - Connecting Africa - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- UN warns of rapidly deteriorating situation in Libya - Morning Star Online - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Arbitrary detentions and impunity widespread in Libya, warns UNs Trk - Welcome to the United Nations - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Mass Graves of Migrants in Libya: An End to a Dream for a Better Life in Europe - Asharq Al-awsat - English - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Marshal Haftar Meets with Greek Ambassador to Strengthen Bilateral Relations - Libya Update - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Morocco And The UN: Paving The Path To Peace In Libya OpEd - Eurasia Review - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Libya and Russia discuss reactivating the construction of the railway project - Libya Herald - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- UN probing reported mass grave on Libya-Tunisia border - Yahoo! Voices - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- NDA Partners with Turkish Firm TGG to Construct Modern Tower Complex in Benghazi - Libya Update - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Efforts to increase trade between Indonesia and Libya - Libya Herald - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- EU says ready to support Libya's efforts to achieve peace and transitional justice - The Libya Observer - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- AmCham Libya hosts meetings during recent visit of U.S. Embassy Commercial and Economic Officer David Morrison - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Spanish doctors visit Libya in their 12th campaign 500 surgeries would have been performed since 2022 - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Libyan olive oil wins gold and silver in U.S. olive oil competition - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- As fighting rages in Sudan, refugee aid efforts expand to two new countries - ReliefWeb - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Libya's special envoy resigned. What's next for the country? - Atlantic Council - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Comment: The IVECO-TbCo impasse was resolved by hard work and determination to continue a business relationship ... - Libya Herald - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Two Libyan olive oil brands win gold at Athens International Olive Oil Competition 2024 - Libya Herald - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]