Key facts
- The EU will establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi, Libya.
- The centre will be funded by Italy and Malta and operate under Operation IRINI.
The European Union has agreed to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi, Libya, aiming to curb migrant arrivals. The move, supported by Italy and Malta, has drawn scrutiny from rights groups concerned about migrant returns to Libya.
This initiative highlights the EU's ongoing efforts to manage migration flows, but also raises significant human rights concerns regarding the potential return of vulnerable individuals to a country with a documented history of abuses against migrants and refugees.
The European Union has finalized plans to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Benghazi, eastern Libya, as part of efforts to reduce migrant arrivals on one of Europe's key migration routes. EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando announced the agreement, stating the centre will operate under the EU naval mission Operation IRINI and receive funding from Italy and Malta.
The decision follows a meeting in Rome attended by Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, commander of Operation IRINI, Malta's ambassador to Italy Daniel Azzopardi, and General Khairy Tamimi of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces. Libya has been a significant transit point for migrants since the 2011 uprising, with control divided between rival factions.
The EU and its member states have previously supported and trained the Libyan coastguard. While the EU officially recognizes the Tripoli-based government, it has increased engagement with authorities in eastern Libya, controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar, due to a rise in migrant departures from that region.
However, the proposed Benghazi centre has faced criticism from human rights groups. They argue that enhancing Libya's maritime capabilities could lead to increased interceptions of migrant boats and their return to Libya, where documented abuses against migrants and refugees persist. EU officials maintain that cooperation is essential for improving maritime safety and dismantling smuggling networks.