Copyright ieyenews
Krysta Bisnauth, Freedom United On October 14, the lower house of Italy’s Parliament voted to renew its migration agreement with Libya. That means more funding for the so-called Libyan Coast Guard—the same forces who have been filmed attacking migrants at sea, firing on rescue boats and profiting from trafficking in Libya. Now the deal’s on track to automatically renew on November 2—unless Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni grows a conscience (or feels enough heat to fake one). That’s where we come in. Send her a message “The sea is a gigantic cemetery. Italy is Libya’s accomplice.” —Refugees in Libya This year alone: Over 700 people have died crossing the Mediterranean Seatrying to reach Europe.[1] Over 19,000 have been pushed back to Libya, where they’re forced to work, raped, tortured, or ransomed.[2] Italy has increased the crackdown on rescue vessels, detaining and fining NGOs up to 10,000 euros that have rescued migrants from drowning.[3] Italy released a Libyan war criminal wanted for torture—and gave him a free ride home.[4] On a private jet. Because nothing says justice like air miles. The ruling party says it’s renewing the Libya deal to fight trafficking. And if you believe that, I’ve got a detention center to sell you. Educate them “And like a stone thrown into still water, my task is only to create ripples, to disturb the silence, whether or not the waves reach the shore.” —David Yambio, survivor advocate The deal renewal was approved by 153 votes to 112 (with 9 abstentions)—meaning nearly as many opposed as backed the deal.[5]Shouldn’t an arrangement with such severe consequences for so many people have more than the ruling party’s support? Days after the vote, protests broke out in Rome. Meloni turning a blind eye now means ignoring everyone outside her own camp—lawmakers, survivors, rights groups, and European institutions that have repeatedly raised concerns about Libya’s record of torture and forced labor. But she can’t ignore us. Because we’re sending the message straight to her inbox. Because this isn’t just Italy’s problem. This system, funded by the European Union, designed to erase migrants and sold to the public as “border control,” is being taken as a model by other states. The Freedom United community has been exposing this system for years. We’ve exposed the detention centers. We’ve documented the abuse. Now, it’s time to do what we do best: get loud, get organized, and make it politically miserable for the people signing these deals. Every email sent makes sure Meloni and her coalition know we’re watching. Every voice raised increases the cost of complicity and sends a message to other state leaders watching on. Even if the deal goes through, we’ll make sure they remember the global backlash. Take a stand [1] https://www.iom.int/news/iom-reports-60-migrants-missing-two-deadly-shipwrecks-libya#:~:text=Identification%20efforts%20are%20ongoing%2C%20with,please%20visit%20IOM’s%20Media%20Centre. [2] https://libyaobserver.ly/news/iom-over-1000-immigrants-intercepted-returned-libya-single-week [3] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/23/italys-detention-of-rescue-vessels-in-mediterranean-will-lead-to-more-deaths-say-campaigners [4] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/italy-releases-libyan-war-crimes-suspect/ [5] https://libyaobserver.ly/news/italian-parliament-votes-renew-immigration-agreement-libya
