A statement issued by the Misrata Movement Against Settlement and Illegal Immigration affirmed that the movement is fully committed to Libyan sovereignty and its national laws, working to protect the country’s identity and demographic structure, stressing that its call focuses solely on law enforcement and ensuring justice, not incitement or discrimination.
The statement stressed the need to regulate street vending and itinerant traders, limiting the practice of such professions only to those granted official licenses by Libyan law, while ensuring adherence to health certificates and legal procedures for community safety. The movement asserted that any violation must be addressed legally without infringing upon the rights of legitimate citizens.
The movement also demanded the evacuation of public squares, plazas, and main roads from illegal infiltrators and migrants to guarantee public order and citizen safety, calling for control over public areas to prevent unlawful encroachment.
The statement pointed to the necessity of implementing Law No. 19 of 2010 on Combating Illegal Immigration, which criminalizes illegal entry or stay and allows for the deportation of violators, stressing the need to pursue and prosecute human traffickers and anyone who cooperates with them.
In terms of the legislative framework, the statement noted that Law No. 6 of 1987 on Regulating the Residence of Foreigners serves as the legal basis for controlling the entry and residence of foreigners and addressing violations. It called for obligating foreigners to register with Passports and Immigration and for notifying the competent authorities when foreigners are housed or deported, including the possibility of cancelling illicit visas and applying the article for the deportation of any foreigner who entered or resided illegally.
The statement added that the movement demands the activation of Law No. 24 of 2023 on Combating Settlement, viewing it as the newest and strongest legal framework to deter any settlement attempts that threaten the Libyan demographic makeup. It demanded the application of all its provisions, especially the penalties directed at those who enter or remain with the intent of settlement after legal procedures have concluded.
The Misrata Movement concluded its statement by affirming its persistence in legitimate peaceful activism until the people’s demands are met and the sovereignty and dignity of Libya and its citizens are preserved, calling on all competent authorities for full cooperation to ensure security and stability
