Italy Cancels Treaty with Libya to Reinforce Border Control Measures

Italy Faces Pressure to End Controversial Libya Migration Deal

milan, Italy – October 13, 2025 – Human Rights Watch is urging Italy to revoke its migration cooperation agreement with Libya, warning that its renewal next month would perpetuate a cycle of violence and abuse against migrants. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in 2017, is set to automatically renew for another three years on November 2nd unless Italy or Libya intervenes.

The agreement provides significant support to the Libyan Coast Guard, enabling them to intercept tens of thousands of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean. However, these intercepted individuals are returned to libya, where they face horrific conditions in detention centers, including torture and ill-treatment. Libyan Coast Guard actions have also been criticized for threatening and endangering non-governmental rescue vessels.

“The Italy-Libya memorandum of Understanding has proven to be a framework for violence and suffering, and should be revoked, not renewed,” stated Judith Sunderland, associate Europe and central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Italy needs to stop its complicity with the Libyan Coast Guard, who are implicated in the torture, exploitation, and degrading treatment of the people they interdict and bring back to Libya.”

Civil society organizations, including Refugees in Libya – a group comprised of survivors of migrant-related violence – are actively campaigning against the agreement and calling on the European Union to suspend all migration cooperation with Libya.

As Libyan migration officials prepare to visit Frontex headquarters in Warsaw and the European Commission in Brussels this week, Human Rights Watch is urging EU officials to prioritize human rights and demand accountability for abuses during these meetings.

The criticism extends to the EU’s broader involvement in supporting Libyan efforts to intercept migrants,including through aerial surveillance conducted by Frontex and the provision of vessels to the Libyan Coast Guard. Since 2015, the EU has allocated hundreds of millions of euros to migration control in Libya, despite overwhelming evidence of systemic abuse within the contry’s detention facilities.

Recent incidents, including the Libyan Coast Guard firing upon the rescue ships Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 5 – using vessels donated by Italy – underscore the dangers faced by both migrants and those attempting to rescue them.

What are the potential geopolitical ramifications of Italy cancelling its 2017 MoU wiht libya regarding migration control?

The Cancellation & Its Immediate Impact

On October 12th, 2025, the Italian government officially announced the cancellation of its 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Libya regarding joint efforts to curb illegal migration across the Mediterranean Sea. This decisive move, confirmed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, signals a important shift in Italy’s approach to border control, migration policy, and its relationship with Libya. The stated reason for the cancellation centers around Libya’s ongoing political instability and the perceived ineffectiveness of the existing agreement in managing irregular migration flows.

The immediate impact is a re-evaluation of Italy’s operational strategies in the central Mediterranean. Previously,the MoU facilitated cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard,including training,equipment provision,and coordinated search and rescue operations. Without this framework,Italy is now focusing on bolstering its own national capabilities and seeking alternative partnerships.

Key Provisions of the 2017 Italy-Libya mou

The 2017 agreement, signed under then-Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, aimed to address the escalating migrant crisis by:

* Strengthening Libyan Coast Guard Capacity: Italy committed to providing financial and logistical support to enhance the Libyan Coast Guard’s ability to intercept vessels carrying migrants attempting to reach Europe.

* Establishing Joint Patrols: The MoU envisioned collaborative patrols in Libyan territorial waters to disrupt human trafficking networks.

* Supporting Libyan Detention Centers: Italy pledged assistance to improve conditions in Libyan detention centers where migrants intercepted at sea were held – a point that drew significant criticism from human rights organizations.

* Facilitating Voluntary Returns: The agreement aimed to promote the voluntary return of migrants to their countries of origin.

Reasons Behind Italy’s Decision: A Multifaceted Approach

Several factors contributed to Italy’s decision to terminate the treaty.Thes include:

* Political Instability in Libya: Libya remains deeply divided, with two rival governments vying for power.This fractured political landscape hindered effective cooperation and raised concerns about the reliability of Libyan authorities.

* Human Rights Concerns: The treatment of migrants in Libyan detention centers has been consistently condemned by international organizations like the UNHCR and Amnesty International.Italy faced mounting pressure to disassociate itself from a system widely accused of abuses.

* Perceived lack of Results: Despite Italian investment and support, the number of migrants arriving in Italy from Libya remained considerable, leading to questions about the MoU’s effectiveness in stemming the flow. Illegal immigration continued to be a major political issue domestically.

* Shifting Italian Government Priorities: The current Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has adopted a more hardline stance on immigration, prioritizing border security and reducing arrivals.

New Strategies for Border Control: Italy’s Plan Forward

Italy is now pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to reinforce its border security and manage migration flows:

1. Increased Naval Presence: Deploying more Italian naval vessels in the Mediterranean to monitor and intercept migrant boats.
2. Enhanced Cooperation with Other EU Member States: Seeking greater solidarity and burden-sharing from other European countries in managing migration. This includes advocating for a revised EU migration policy.
3. Strengthening External Border Controls: Focusing on preventing migrants from reaching Libya in the first place, through cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
4. Diplomatic Efforts: engaging in diplomatic initiatives with North African nations to address the root causes of migration,such as poverty,conflict,and lack of opportunities.
5. Investment in Border Technology: utilizing advanced surveillance technologies, including drones and satellite imagery, to monitor maritime borders.

The Role of the EU and International response

The cancellation of the Italy-Libya MoU has prompted a mixed reaction from the international community. The European Union has expressed concern about the potential for increased irregular arrivals on European shores. The EU is now under pressure to develop a more complete and coordinated approach to migration management.

Several EU member states, particularly those on the front lines of migration, have called for a review of the EU’s asylum system and a more equitable distribution of responsibility for processing asylum claims. Organizations like the International Association for Migration (IOM) have urged Italy to ensure that any new border control measures are implemented in accordance with international human rights law.

Case Study: The Central Mediterranean Route (2020-2025)

The Central Mediterranean route, primarily used by migrants departing from Libya and Tunisia, has consistently been one of the deadliest and most challenging migration routes in the world.

* 2020: Approximately 31,000 arrivals to Italy via the Central Mediterranean route.

* 2021: A significant increase to over 65,000 arrivals, fueled by political instability in Libya and economic hardship in sub-Saharan Africa.

* 2022: Around 97,000 arrivals, marking a substantial rise.

* 2023: Over 156,000 arrivals, placing immense strain on