Hommam Al Nassim 
The Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have become a hub for illegal migration from Libya, seeing a sharp rise in the number of migrant boats arriving this year, according to UN data.
Some 1,075 migrants, mostly from Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, have arrived on the islands this year, compared to about 860 over the past year, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
These figures confirm that Greece has become a major departure point for EU migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as Crete and Gavdos were not a primary destination for migrants who were heading to eastern islands close to Turkey.
Although the Mediterranean has become a hub for illegal migration since the beginning of the Arab Spring, Libya has emerged as a hotbed of the migration crisis as a result of the deteriorating security situation, creating a complex network of migration practitioners, and challenges that have led the EU to constantly pressure all Libyan parties to deal with illegal migration.
New immigration lines
The increase reported by UNHCR has raised fears of a new smuggling route, increased pressure on Greece, which is already in dire economic straits, and exacerbated the challenges it faces since it became a major entry point for migrants and refugees into the EU since the 2015 crisis. This situation highlights the wider challenge the EU faces in managing its borders and providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.
It is clear that Libya has become an ideal place for groups dealing with migrants, as its geographical location gives it a key advantage, but more importantly, the political and security turmoil it is experiencing makes migration operations protected by some armed groups, and difficult to fight in light of the conflict between the Libyan east and west.
With the absence of a unified government and the proliferation of armed factions, Libya has become a breeding ground for human trafficking and smuggling networks, and these groups take advantage of the authorities’ inability to deal with this dilemma to develop their operations and open different and varied migration routes towards Europe.
Operation Sophia and International Responses
Operation Sophia, launched by the European Union to disrupt human trafficking networks in the Mediterranean, is an important step, but the effectiveness of military interventions has remained debated. Focusing on security measures without addressing the root causes of migration will not solve the crisis, at a time when efforts to curb migration from Libya have led to controversial agreements between European countries and the Libyan Coast Guard, such arrangements violate international law and migrants’ rights, as they involve returning individuals to Libya, where they face abuse and torture. This situation highlights the complex ethical and legal challenges in managing migration flows and protecting migrants’ rights.
The recent increase in migration is expected to draw new dialogues for new action, especially after Niger passed a law criminalizing illegal migration, and any new legislation is expected to mitigate the increased flow of migrants through Libya, but addressing this thorny issue is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive response. Radically addressing the causes of migration, ensuring respect for human rights, and promoting political and security stability and development in countries of origin are crucial steps towards a sustainable solution.
As Europe tries to curb the flow of migrants, the situation in Libya and the Mediterranean region is a serious test of the international community’s commitment to human rights and global cooperation in the face of complex humanitarian crises and requires a balanced approach that reconciles border security with the need to protect the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their migration status.
Written by Nidal Al-Khedary
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