A group of activists from Tripoli has issued a statement expressing their total rejection of what they termed the “project to settle infiltrators and refugees” within Libya. They placed responsibility on both international bodies and local authorities for the worsening phenomenon of large numbers of foreign nationals entering Libyan territory illegally, exploiting the prevailing state of security breakdown and political division.
The activists clarified in their statement that policies pursued by the Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other international organisations, coupled with pressure exerted on Libyan authorities, have contributed to establishing a new reality aimed at integrating newcomers into Libyan society. They warned that this trend is paving the way for their permanent settlement in a manner that violates both national law and international custom.
The activists stressed that what is occurring constitutes a “systematic scheme” to impose demographic change on Libya, being implemented in phases under the observation of the United Nations, the UNHCR, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). They cautioned that these arrivals have transitioned from being mere job seekers to organised groups demanding integration, backed by international support and external funding.
The statement noted that parts of Southern Libya are already witnessing attempts to broker “peaceful coexistence” agreements between Libyan citizens and infiltrators. This is happening even though the entry of large groups across the border has resulted in what the activists described as land seizures and the forced displacement of residents, thus threatening the social security and demographic composition of the country.
Furthermore, the statement addressed the negative repercussions of this phenomenon on the Libyan economy, pointing out that the escalating number of arrivals is increasingly benefiting from government subsidies. This occurs alongside a rise in negative activities linked to illegal migration, including human trafficking, smuggling, property crimes, and fears of the spread of previously non-existent diseases and epidemics.
In concluding their statement, the activists demanded several immediate and specific actions:
- The enforcement of laws governing the entry and exit of foreigners, and the strict application of the law against settlement and illegal migration.
- Halting any steps that might contribute to the permanent settlement of refugees inside Libya, and actively seeking alternative host countries.
- Accelerating humanitarian evacuation operations in accordance with agreements signed with Rwanda and Niger.
- Ceasing the granting of “refugee status” within Libya to avoid creating a fait accompli, and proposing that services be provided from countries of origin rather than on Libyan soil.
- Establishing designated camps for Sudanese refugees—due to the war situation—away from urban centres, and dealing with them in line with the African Unity Organisation agreement.
- Commencing the immediate repatriation of infiltrators, and demanding international assistance for Libya to halt human smuggling and secure its borders.
The activists affirmed that their statement is rooted in their responsibility toward the security of Libyan society, asserting the people’s right to self-determination and to reject any attempt to alter their demographic makeup.
