An Italian court has issued a ruling preventing the return of refugees and migrants to Libya in a significant development. The militias, reportedly aided by Libya’s Europe-backed coastguard, intercept refugees and migrants, holding them captive in coastal prisons where they face torture and abuse. Italy’s highest court recently upheld a ruling preventing Italian vessels from returning rescued refugees to Libya, signaling a divergence between the legal system and the political establishment’s support for Libyan militias. The court’s decision aligns with the longstanding assertion that Libya is not a safe place for refugees and migrants. However, the recent court ruling emphasizes the unsuitability of Libya as a safe disembarkation point for rescued individuals.
