| The agreement between Italy and Libya coming into force in May 2009 has put the issue of border and migration policies back at the centre of European public attention. Among others, the treaty includes joint Libyan-Italian patrols in Libyan waters and commits Libya to step up efforts and increase heavily investments against irregular migration flows through its territory. But is this agreement a first step towards cooperation in the interest of the people concerned, or rather increasing the suffering for undocumented migrants?
More generally, the issue of migration from the South into Europe extends beyond bilateral diplomacy, and also beyond the daily drama in the (Central) Mediterranean. Policy fields such as the labour market or the role of the European Union can be mentioned in this respect. Besides causing the humanitarian failures of the border management, within and beyond the EU’s borders, the continued security orientation of migration policy weakens the rare examples of partnership and cooperation.
- Derek Lutterbeck looks at how the countries in the Central Mediterranean and the EU have been ready to shift blame on each other for the “migration crisis”.
- Jean-Pierre Cassarino analyses the rationale and impact of Mobility Partnerships and questions how far developmental goals have supplanted the security-orientation.
- Gabriele Del Grande reveals in his investigative piece the horrendous conditions in Libya’s prisons and refugee camps.
- Mustafa Attir describes Libya’s border management system as a “Mission Impossible” because of a lack of facilities and resources, as well as geographical and socio-economic reasons.
|
