The Spokesperson for Amnesty International criticized Italy's support of the Libyan authorities management of migration during a joint session of the Committees of Foreign Affairs and Defense at the Italian Chamber of Deputies this week.
During a joint session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees at the Italian Chamber of Deputies on March 11, Anneliese Baldaccini, spokesperson for the human rights organization Amnesty International criticized the Italian government's support of the Libyan authorities.
"This year's decree continues to support the Libyan authorities, the so-called Libyan coast guard, just as it did in 2024, via the 'Operation Safe Mediterranean' and training support offered to the Libyan coast guard and navy, [in order for those bodies to carry out migration management tasks]. For several years, Amnesty International has documented the consequences of the European and Italian cooperation with Libyan authorities aimed at containing the number of refugee persons,", said Baldaccini.
The session was aimed at conducting a joint examination of the resolution of the Italian Council of Ministers concerning Italy's participation in additional international missions in 2025.
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Crimes against humanity committed in Libya says UN report
Baldaccini recalled that "For the United Nations, Libya remains a dangerous country for those who are intercepted at sea: the acts of terrible cruelty against migrants constitute de facto a state policy. The independent inquiry mission by the UN found reasonable reasons to believe that crimes against humanity are committed in Libya, even by middle to high-level country officers. The report recommended ending all direct or indirect support to Libyan institutions implicated in these crimes."
"Unfortunately there are no plans to bring the powerful militia commanders to answer to justice in Libya concerning their actions. It is necessary to follow international justice mechanisms to break the cycle of impunity," Baldaccini added.
Connections to the al Masri case
According to Amnesty, Italy's handling of the recent arrest, then release of a Libyan general Nijeem Osama al Masri, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and his part in migrant smuggling and abuse, is part of the reason it is is voicing its criticism now.
Al Masri was once head of the Judicial police in Libya and was also responsible for runing an infamous prison in Mitiga in the country. He was stopped in Italy's northern city Turin on January 19 after an international arrest warrant was issued by the ICC for crimes of war and crimes against humanity.
However, two days later, al Masri was released by the Rome Court of Appeals, because the Italian Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, did not confirm al Masri's arrest as should have been the procedure, stated Amnesty.
Baldaccini pointed out that "Italy had the chance to do so [follow international justice mechanisms] and would have been obliged to do so when al Masri was arrested in Turin. Italy instead chose to release him and return him to Libya on a state flight. It is painful to see how Italy not only failed to bring to justice a person who played a fundamental role in violence against migrants but continues to refuse to asses the ways and methods it cooperates with Libya."
Furthermore, Baldaccini expressed her fear that these attitudes might be applied when Italy makes "agreements with Tunisia and Egypt" regarding migration.
"The EU's commitment [and funding] can have a normalizing effect on serious violations and hinder the integrity of the system of search and rescue", stated Baldaccini.