Amnesty International on Friday condemned Italy-Libya deal that traps vulnerable migrants in the war-ravaged north African country, describing it as “a shameful display of how far EU governments are prepared to go to keep refugees and migrants from Europe’s shores”. The Memorandum of Understanding was initially signed in an attempt to prevent refugees and migrants from reaching Italy’s shores by keeping people in Libya. “Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants are trapped in an escalating war-zone. Those who try to escape by sea risk interception and return to detention centres, often in conflict areas. By supporting the Libyan authorities in stopping sea crossings and containing people in Libya, Italy has made itself complicit in this abuse,” said Marie Struthers.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 31, 2020 10:18 UTC