In simpler terms, the EU is to cooperate with militias to ensure Libya carries the burdens of this massive flow of migrants. The main objective of Operation Sophia has been to ensure the Libyan coastguard capture the migrants in Libyan waters and return them to Libya. By taking active steps to ensure refugees and economic migrants remain in Libya, Europe assents to the intolerable treatment they receive in Libya. As long as the refugee crisis is politicized and the immigrant dehumanized, we will continue to see band-aid policies enforced. A shift to the humanitarianization of the refugee crisis through the cooperation of non-state humanitarian actors and governments is desperately needed.

Source: Libya Observer October 16, 2017 09:00 UTC