18th of October: Call for Manifestation in Rome

Refugees in Libya
Sep 19
3 min read

Updated: Oct 10

No deal for crimes against humanity. Stop the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Libya.

Join the mobilization in Rome:

— action days from 15th to 17th of October;

— big manifestation with a stage of survivors on 18th of October

A new coalition calls for common protests in October in Rome. Led by the self-organisation Refugees in Libya, numerous human rights organizations, civil fleet actors, lawyers, researchers, and representatives from the Catholic Church invite to a series of public events culminating in a strong manifestation on Saturday, 18th of October at 14:00 CEST at Piazza Vidoni. Dozens of human rights defenders, who survived grave injustice in Libya and at sea, will denounce the complicity of Italian and European governments with the clear demand: Stop the bloody deal – Stop the violence – Stand for humanity.

In February 2017, this MoU was signed by the Italian and Libyan governments on “fighting illegal migration.” In reality, every handshake has meant more suffering, more deaths at sea, and more crimes against humanity. The MoU, with the support of European Union funding and coordination by Frontex, has trained, financed, and equipped Libyan forces who have systematically abducted, arbitrarily detained, tortured, enslaved, killed, and raped migrants and refugees. It legitimizes and facilitates grave abuse of people who are trying to reach Europe via Libya and the Mediterranean. At sea, instead of rescuing boats in distress, the so-called Libyan coast guard leaves people to drown or violently returns them to Libya’s detention industry. Militias at sea constantly attack and even shoot at civil rescue ships. These human rights violations are so severe, systematic, and structural that they amount to crimes against humanity.

The MoU is renewed every three years. If nothing is done by November 2nd, 2025, this criminal and bloody deal will automatically extend for another three years, and the abuses will continue. The externalization and brutalization of the EU border regime must be stopped. We therefore call for the common mobilization in October to Rome.

Refugees in Libya, with the support of allied organisations, demand justice and reparations. People on the move stuck in Libya need evacuation, protection, and dignity.

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This call is supported by: