37C3 - A Libyan Militia and the EU - A Love Story?

The European Union's partnership with the Tariq Ben Ziyad Brigade, a Libyan militia, has sparked controversy over human rights and border control in the central Mediterranean.

Key takeaways
  • The European Union has been partnering with the Tariq Ben Ziyad Brigade (TBZ), a Libyan militia, to control the central Mediterranean Sea.
  • TBZ is not a recognized Coast Guard and has no air force or helicopters, but they have been receiving EU funding and equipment.
  • The EU has been installing surveillance equipment in Libya, including aerial surveillance from Frontex, to detect and intercept boats carrying migrants.
  • Frontex has been using satellite phones to locate boats, but NGOs have criticized this practice, citing concerns about human rights and the risk of refoulement.
  • The EU has been trying to undermine the Central Mediterranean Sea’s search and rescue zone, and has been accused of promoting a “pull-back” policy, where migrants are intercepted and returned to Libya.
  • The TBZ has been involved in several shipwrecks, including the Pulos shipwreck, which resulted in the deaths of over 700 people.
  • The EU has been providing funding to the Libyan Coast Guard, which has been accused of human rights abuses and has been involved in the deaths of migrants.
  • The EU has been criticized for its handling of the migration crisis, and has been accused of prioritizing border control over human rights.
  • The use of drones and other surveillance technology has been criticized, as it has been used to monitor and intercept boats carrying migrants.
  • The EU has been accused of promoting a “fortress Europe” policy, which prioritizes border control over human rights and has been criticized by NGOs and human rights groups.
  • The use of satellite phones to locate boats has been criticized, as it has been used to intercept and return migrants to Libya, rather than providing them with safety and protection.
  • The EU has been accused of promoting a “push-back” policy, where migrants are intercepted and returned to Libya, rather than providing them with safety and protection.
  • The TBZ has been accused of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture.
  • The EU has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability in its handling of the migration crisis.
  • The use of aerial surveillance has been criticized, as it has been used to monitor and intercept boats carrying migrants, rather than providing them with safety and protection.