The UN Security Council is set to vote next Thursday on a draft resolution to renew the mandate issued under Resolution 2240 of October 9, 2015. This authorization permits all UN member states to intercept and inspect ships off the Libyan coast to thwart any attempts of human smuggling.
According to the aforementioned resolution, member states can implement these inspections individually or through arrangements made by regional organizations.
The last vote on the UN mandate to monitor the Libyan coastlines took place on September 29, 2022, under the Security Council Resolution 2752. This mandate is set to expire on September 29 of this year, unless renewed by a new resolution.
Reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that between September 2, 2021, and August 29, 2022, 1,751 illegal migrants perished in Libyan waters while attempting to reach European shores. This has made the navigation routes from Libya to Europe the deadliest for migrants.
During the said period, 111,795 illegal migrants reached European territories. Of these, 36,253 migrants embarked on their journey from Libyan shores heading north to Europe.
European Union data highlights that from September 2, 2021, to August 29, 2022, the EU naval forces conducted 1,125 operations, ranging from interceptions to rescues, assisting approximately 52,537 illegal migrants off the Libyan coasts, thanks to the UN mandate.
Furthermore, according to the IOM, the period from January 2022 to February 2023 saw an increase in the number of migrants from Libya, from 635,051 to 706,062 migrants. The organization also disclosed figures of those who attempted to cross the Mediterranean from Libyan shores since the beginning of 2023, aspiring to reach European coasts.
They reported that 8,496 migrants, whose vessels were intercepted, were returned to Libyan territories.
Additionally, the IOM revealed that 780 illegal migrants drowned off the Libyan coasts since the beginning of this year, with their bodies being recovered. Moreover, 944 migrants are currently accounted for as missing.
