Summary:

On 22 June 2026, Amnesty International warned that Libyan authorities have intensified crackdowns on migrants through mass arrests, arbitrary detentions and expulsions, alongside rising xenophobic rhetoric from officials and segments of the public. 

The organization reported that between 7,000 and 8,000 migrants were arrested in May across eastern and southern Libya, with thousands subsequently facing deportation without due process under a national removal program. Amnesty also noted that Libyan authorities have rejected the idea of Libya serving as a “resettlement land for Africans” and that these measures coincided with public demonstrations and increased online hate speech. 

The report further highlighted concerns over European Union engagement with Libya on migration management, including plans to establish a maritime rescue coordination center in Benghazi, which Amnesty argues risks reinforcing ongoing human rights violations. 

Outlook: 

The developments point to a likely continuation and potential escalation of restrictive migration measures by authorities in eastern Libya, including expanded enforcement of entry bans targeting nationals from several African countries.  

This suggests a more structured and coordinated approach between local eastern authorities and external partners aimed at limiting migrant flows toward Libya’s northern coast and, ultimately, Europe. 

The trajectory of the dialogue around migrants will continue to drive heightened tensions around migration governance, as security-driven containment policies increasingly intersect with humanitarian concerns and EU cooperation frameworks. 

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