LEAVING LIBYA Rapid Assessment of Municipalities of Departures of Migrants in Libya Prepared by Altai Consulting for the Embassy of the Netherlands to Libya – June 2017 This report was prepared by Altai Consulting for the Embassy of the Netherlands to Libya. It was written in June 2017 by Valerie Stocker, under the direction of Marie-Cecile Darme. Fieldwork in Libya was conducted by Karim Nabata, Younes Nanis and Shukri Ftis. We are grateful to the local authorities, security officials, judiciary staff, local community members, humanitarian workers and migrants who shared their time and their views with us on the various themes that this study covers. Libyan photographer Monder Haraga graciously provided the image on the front cover. Unless specified otherwise, all pictures in this report are credited to Altai Consulting. Layout and graphic design by Marie- Cecile Darme. Altai Consulting is a specialised consulting firm that focuses on research, monitoring and evaluation in fragile states. Since launching in 2003, Altai has successfully completed more than 300 assignments in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Altai operates in more than 25 countries, through a team of over 50 international staff and 500 national consultants. Altai’s Public Policy division maintains permanent regional offices and teams in Libya, Tunisia, Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland, South Sudan, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Altai has developed significant expertise in migration throughout its existence. Our migration practice produced numerous research reports and provided strategic advisory guidance on migration for governments, international institutions and aid agencies such as IOM, UNHCR, ILO, DFID, NRC, DRC, and Save the Children. Contact Details: Valerie Stocker (Project Manager): [email protected] Marie-Cecile Darme (Project Director): [email protected] Eric Davin (Altai Partner): [email protected] www.altaiconsulting.com EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CONTENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 6 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 16 1.1. Context .................................................................................................................... 16 1.2. Objectives of the Research ................................................................................... 16 2. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 17 2.1. Scope of Research ................................................................................................. 17 2.2. Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 17 3. NORTHWEST LIBYA SMUGGLING INDUSTRY AND RESPONSES ....................... 19 3.1. Smuggling Industry on the West Libyan Coast ................................................... 19 3.1.1. Smuggling Actors and Networks ........................................................................ 22 3.1.2. Smuggling Logistics, Pricing and Profits ............................................................ 26 3.1.3. Exploitation of Migrants ..................................................................................... 34 3.2. Combatting Smuggling .......................................................................................... 36 3.2.1. Relevant Legislation .......................................................................................... 36 3.2.2. Law enforcement Agencies ............................................................................... 38 3.2.3. Anti-Smuggling Measures .................................................................................. 44 3.3. Migration Management .......................................................................................... 47 3 3.3.1. Interception of Migrant Boats ............................................................................. 47 3.3.2. Detention ........................................................................................................... 49 3.3.3. Forced and Voluntary Returns ........................................................................... 52 3.3.4. Public Perceptions of Migrant Crisis .................................................................. 53 3.4. Economic Implications and Opportunities .......................................................... 54 3.4.1. Impact of Smuggling on the Local Economy ..................................................... 54 3.4.2. Impact of Migration on the Local Economy ........................................................ 55 3.4.3. Release for Work Schemes ............................................................................... 55 3.4.4. Economic Alternatives ....................................................................................... 58 3.5. Civil Society Mobilization and Social Pressure ................................................... 61 4. CASE STUDIES .......................................................................................................... 63 4.1. Zuwara ..................................................................................................................... 63 4.1.1. Political and Security Context ............................................................................ 63 4.1.2. Local Smuggling Industry .................................................................................. 66 4.1.3. Crackdown on Migrant Smuggling ..................................................................... 68 4.1.4. Security Actors and Challenges at Present ....................................................... 72 4.1.5. Economic Implications and Opportunities .......................................................... 76 4.2. Sabratha .................................................................................................................. 79 4.2.1. Political and Security Context ............................................................................ 80 4.2.2. Local Smuggling Industry .................................................................................. 81 4.2.3. Counter-Smuggling Policies and Stakeholders ................................................. 84 4.2.4. Migration Management ...................................................................................... 85 4.2.5. Economic Implications and Opportunities .......................................................... 86 4.4. Al-Zawiya ................................................................................................................. 87 4.4.1. Political and Security Context ............................................................................ 87 4.4.2. Smuggling Industry ............................................................................................ 89 4.4.3. Counter-Smuggling Policies and Stakeholders ................................................. 91 4.4.4. Migration Management ...................................................................................... 93 4.4.5. Economic Implications and Opportunities .......................................................... 95 4.1. Tajura ....................................................................................................................... 96 4.1.1. Political and Security Context ............................................................................ 96 4.1.2. Smuggling Industry ............................................................................................ 97 4.1.3. Counter-Smuggling Policies and Stakeholders ................................................. 97 4.1.4. Migration Management ...................................................................................... 98 4.1.5. Economic Implications and Opportunities .......................................................... 99 4.2. Garabulli ................................................................................................................ 100 4.2.1. Political and Security Context .......................................................................... 100 4.2.2. Smuggling Industry .......................................................................................... 100 4.2.3. Counter-Smuggling Policies and Stakeholders ............................................... 102 4.2.4. Migration Management .................................................................................... 102 4.2.5. Economic Implications and Opportunities ........................................................ 103 5. CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 104 5.1. Lessons Learnt From Zuwara ............................................................................. 104 5.2. Replicating Efforts in Other Areas of Departure ............................................... 104 6. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................. 106 6.1. Strategic Orientations .......................................................................................... 106 6.2. Combatting Smuggling and Managing Migration in Northwest Libya ............ 109 6.2.1. Continue Efforts to Stabilize Libya ................................................................... 109 6.2.2. Support Law Enforcement ..............................................................................