Prof. Mustafa O. Attir Libya's
Border Management System: Mission Impossible
European Union is busy these days trying to develop an adequate system of border surveillance aiming to reduce illegal migration entering the EU across the Mediterranean undetected.. The majority of those who attempt entering Europe using this rout start from Africans. They are from both North Africa,  sub-Saharan Africa, and from a number of South East Asia who are visiting Libya legally . Libyan citizens do not participate in this groups. On the other side, Libya , according to the media, is today major exporting country of illegal migration to Europe. Many questions come to mind: How this has happened? What are those variables which made Libya play such a role? When playing such a role began? Is it a direct result of a confused foreign policy which led to many social problems illegal human trafficking is just one of them? Are such activities part of international criminal organizations involved in migrant smuggling? If so are there Libyan officials involved? If so do those Libyan officials act according to official policy or are they act because of wide spread of corruption? Do Libyan authorities understand that the uncontrolled movement of illegal immigrants to and through Libya has reached the level of a national crisis? If so does Libya became ready to co-operate with EU on illegal immigration? It is very important to develop answers for such questions before asking the most important question European Surveillance system agency may raise: How can Libya play a positive role to help the agency fulfill its major goal?

Jean Pierre Cassarino
Report: Return Migrants to the Maghreb Countries: Reintegration and Development Challenges"
Based on a sample of around one thousand interviews with returnees in Morocco Algeria and Tunisia, the report published by the MIREM project of the Robert Schumann Centre for Advanced Studies (European University Institute/Florence) sets out to determine the manifold factors shaping return migrants’ patterns of reintegration. Its novelty lies, among others, in making a distinction between migrants who decided to return and those who were compelled to do so. Actually, as the collected data were gradually processed and analysed, it turned out that this distinction was key to understanding migrants’ patterns of social and professional reintegration.
Beyond their analytical relevance, the data presented in this report emphasise the preconditions that need to be considered in order to foster the contribution of returnees to development, whether these are temporary or permanent.

Today, the introduction of temporary labour migrant schemes and circular migration are gradually gaining momentum in bilateral and multilateral talks between the European Union and its neighbours. There is no question that the implementation of such programmes will call for more attention to the post-return conditions of temporary or permanent returnees as well as to their various levels of return preparedness. The extent to which decision-makers in destination and origin countries will implement these provisions will determine their efficacy and sustainability.

Derek Lutterbeck
The Challenges of Immigration Control in the Central Mediterranean
Recent years have seen a sharp rise in irregular boat migration in the Central Mediterranean, mainly from Libya towards the Italian Islands of Sicily and Lampedusa as well as Malta. In order to stem the flow of migrants, both Italy and Malta have been stepping up their efforts to more effectively patrol this part of the Mediterranean. Moreover, the EU border control agency, Frontex, has also been carrying out operations in the region. However, these efforts have faced serious challenges, both in terms of effective immigration prevention and with regards to the (human) rights of the migrants. Italy and Malta have found it difficult to agree on common principles for carrying out maritime operations, both countries essentially seeking to put the burden of receiving sea-borne migrants on the other. Libya has, at least until very recently, refused to participate in these countries’ border control activities, thus arguably rendering these operations largely ineffective (or even turning them into a “pull-factor”). However, while Libya’s collaboration is seen a key for more effective migration prevention in the Central Mediterranean, its cooperation also entails significant risks for the rights of the migrants, given the country’s poor human rights record, and the reportedly wide-spread abuse of immigrants in Libya. On the receiving side, as well, Italy and Malta, have come under fire from human rights and immigrant support organization for the migration control policies.

Pippo Costella
The fight against trafficking in human beings in Europe – Rhetoric or responsibilities?

Policies and approaches aimed at fighting trafficking in human beings in the EU are still largely hindered and confused by the overlap with the Member States and the Commission’s anti-migratory agendas.  Despite evidence and authoritative recommendations from many civil society parties including the EU Expert Group on Trafficking in human beings, the dominant paradigm, at  the institutional level, is still one  of refusing to consider that trafficking and exploitation are consequent and proportionate to the levels of protection and the degree of vulnerability generated by Member States’ policies and standards on migration, labour and social inclusion/exclusion.  Rhetoric and the reiteration of the stereotyped model reinforced by sensationalistic media coverage largely characterise current initiatives against trafficking. In addition, a superficial narrative that proposes a simplified interpretation built on the triangle composed by the aggressor, the victim and the saviour elude the possibility of identifying structural causes and clear responsibilities.  By taking into consideration the necessity to reaffirm solid human rights standards in European policies related to migration it is important to redefine and restructure the notion of trafficking in human beings in the context of the various conditions, variables and dimensions that make it possible.