EU-Libya agreement

The European Parliament today adopted a report on the EU-Libya framework agreement (1). The Greens have raised concerns about the ongoing negotiations on the EU-Libya framework agreement and the lack of focus on human rights and the situation of refugees. Commenting after the vote, Green foreign policy spokesperson Franziska Brantner said:

"The EU risks making the same mistakes with Libya as it did with Tunisia. We are concerned that the ongoing negotiations on a framework agreement with Libya are brushing over concerns with the guarantee of human rights and the protection of refugees, all in the name of stability and border control.

"The EP has today made clear that the EU should not sign any 'dirty deal' with Libya, which ignores human rights concerns and the protection of refugees. The ratification and implementation of the Geneva Convention on refugees by Libya must be a fundamental pre-requisite for concluding any framework agreement. The EP has also called on the Commission to ensure MEPs are fully informed at all stages of the negotiation process."

Green civil liberties spokesperson Hélène Flautre added:

"No readmission agreement can be concluded until there is an end to the inhuman and degrading treatment of migrants in Libya. There is a need to ensure Libya adopts asylum legislation including the principle of 'non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsion.

"The Gaddafi regime has systematically violated human rights for decades, yet the EU and some of its member states are intent on deepening cooperation with the regime regardless. The EU must not continue to prop up another dictator in the region. Continued EU support of this oppressive regime is neither in line with EU values and legal commitments, nor in the long term interests of the region. Only a democratic and free Libya will be a stable and prosperous country."

(1) Gomes report on the EU-Libya Framework Agreement