Libya tightens controls on foreigners amid migration tensions
Libya has introduced another measure aimed at regulating the movement of foreign nationals as pressures on irregular migrants continue to increase.
Authorities in the western city of Zuwara imposing a night-time curfew on foreigners as concerns over migration continue to dominate the country’s political and security agenda, as reported by Agenzia Nova on June 3rd.
The municipality’s Commission for the Census and Regularisation of the Position of Foreigners announced that foreign citizens residing in or present in Zuwara are prohibited from moving around the city between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Officials described the measure as temporary and precautionary, saying it is intended to protect public safety, strengthen stability and reduce risks during night-time hours. The concern across Libya regarding the migrant crisis have been exacerbated by the imminent implementation of the European Union’s (EU) new Pact on Migration and Asylum. The new legislation centres on deporting migrants to safe “third countries”, even though Libya has not been designated as a safe third country, fears have spread across the country that Libya will be subjected to migrant returns from the EU.
At the same time, anti-migrant rhetoric has spread across Libyan social media platforms, prompting concern from the United Nations. On June 1st, the UN mission in Libya warned that disinformation and inflammatory online content risk increasing tensions, discrimination and violence, while urging authorities and the public to rely on credible information sources and address acts of incitement in accordance with Libyan law and international human rights standards.
The UN, among other international bodies, has received extensive criticism across social media platforms popular in Libya, such as X and Telegram.
As debate over migration intensifies in Libya, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has rejected claims that it is pursuing migrant resettlement programmes in the country, insisting its role is limited to humanitarian assistance and support provided in coordination with Libyan authorities, as reported by Libya Eye on June 3rd.
The intervention comes amid a growing “No to Resettlement” campaign and renewed calls from former UN envoy Ibrahim al-Dabbashi to replace UNHCR’s activities with a national body responsible for managing migration and refugee affairs.
Many of those who are critical of the UNHCR in Libya would argue that many irregular migrants are taking advantage of their apparent “refugee status”. According to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is a person “who is outside his or her home country and who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion”.
In the same statement in which they insisted that they were not pursuing migrant resettlement programs, the UNHCR stated that 83% of refugees registered with UNHCR in Libya hold Sudanese nationality. This indicates that the vast majority of the “irregular migrants” in Libya meet the requirements to be given refugee status, due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the UAE-backed RSF and the Sudanese army.
Authorities in Zuwara stressed that the curfew restrictions do not target any particular group and urged foreign residents to cooperate with security personnel by carrying identification documents, residence permits or work papers when requested. Employers, including companies, factories, workshops and shops that rely on foreign labour, have also been instructed to inform workers of the new rules and organise movements in accordance with the curfew.
Agenzia Nova, Libya Eye, OHCHR, X, Maghrebi.org
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