According to a fact-finding mission to Libya by the UN, the European Union helped to facilitate the crimes committed in Libya by supporting Libyan authorities to crack down on irregular migration.
The experiences of migrants in Libya are marked by abuse and exploitation.
Though the numbers of Mediterranean crossings have decreased since 2016, many people still die while attempting to reach Europe.
However, while criticism of human smuggling and trafficking rarely includes Libyan society, local perceptions towards the issue are influenced by factors such as colorism, religion, nationalism and historical racism.
Zawiya, a city in Libya’s northwest, is an example of this issue, where the licit economy has stagnated, and the illicit economy, fueled by human smuggling and trafficking, has grown.
While residents of Zawiya recognize the role of smugglers in their city’s situation, their anger is primarily directed at migrants, who are viewed as unwanted temporary guests.
The presence of migrants in public spaces has further unsettled locals, as entire migrant neighborhoods have cropped up in their city. The most significant factor influencing local sentiments towards migrants is information asymmetry.
Local perceptions of the migration crisis differ significantly from the international narrative, with the EU taking several steps to combat trafficking and smuggling networks.
Despite these steps, the number of migrants leaving Libya from the northwest coastline has been reduced but not eradicated.
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