Libya Migrants: Deportation begins after 3 detention centers shut down
Updated 11:28, 03-Aug-2019
In Libya, Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj has shut down three migrant centers and begun the process of deporting those who were housed in them. Refugees have proven to be a major challenge facing the North African country, especially since European nations started closing their doors to migrants. Here's CGTN's Adel el Mahrouky with more.
According to the United Nations, July has seen the deadliest migrants shipwreck in Libya this year. 150 migrants from Eretria, Sudan, Egypt and Libya feared dead or missing in the Mediterranean. Following the tragedy, Libya's government of national accord has shutdown three migrants centers in the West.
SALEH FEHEIMA, MIGRANTS AND DISPLACED COMMITTEE LIBYAN PARLIAMENT "We live with political division. We have two governments. Our south, unfortunately, is wide open for anyone to enter, because of that political war. The migrant problem is much bigger than the current capabilities of both governments. There is legislation to regulate this issue, but without a strong unified government we won't be able to prevent migrants from reaching Libya's shores."
One of the few things both rival governments in Libya agree on is to resolve the migrants crisis they have. With a struggling economy since 2011, the north African nation cannot afford to host more migrants.
MOHAMED AMER LIBYAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT "It's the executive authorities that have been working to limit this phenomenon. They've been providing shelter, food and other resources which is a huge burden on the people of Libya, whose economic capacity has become quite stretched after 2011."
ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO, EGYPT "The government of national accord says it has started deportation procedures for the migrants in the three centers it has shut. But among the ongoing war over Tripoli, it doesn't have the power or the finances to send them all back home. And definitely, very soon, both governments will be seeing more migrants entering the country. Thanks to the security void on the borders which the civil war has caused. Adel EL Mahrouky CGTN CA."