Cooperation between Italy and Libya is deadly. Here's why:

If you’ve been following SOS MEDITERRANEE in the last six weeks, you know that on 24 August, our humanitarian rescue ship was attacked in International waters by the Libyan Coast Guard. The gunmen’s boat was gifted to Libya by Italy in June 2023¹. Italian and European support for the Libyan Coast Guard is the result of a 2017 agreement between the two countries, called the Italy-Libya Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Here’s what you need to know about the Italy-Libya deal and why it’s so harmful.

What’s happening between Italy and Libya?

Today, 14 October 2025, the Italian Parliament votes on whether to discuss amendments to their agreement with Libya. Unless canceled by 2 November, the Italy-Libya Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will automatically renew in February 2026. We must not let that happen.

What’s the deal between Italy and Libya?

The MoU enables the EU to provide economic, logistical, and operational support to Libyan authorities. In Libya, people on the move face arbitrary detention, torture, rape, forced labor, and even death.

Read More: “No Money, No Freedom”: Torture and Extortion of Migrants in Libya

Why is this agreement harmful?

The United Nations found deep ties between the Libyan Coast Guard, militias, and human traffickers. People intercepted at sea are not rescued — they’re sent back to violence and abuse. This cannot be called “border control.”

What happened to SOS MEDITERRANEE?

On 24 August, our crew and 87 survivors aboard the Ocean Viking were shot at by the Libyan Coast Guard — in a boat gifted by Italy. This was an attempted murder. This is the direct result of European funding and silence. It must end.

What must be done?

We urgently demand:

❌ Abolish the Italy-Libya MoU
❌ International Maritime Organisation to reassess Libya’s Search and Rescue zone
❌ End EU complicity in this brutal system

Enough is enough.

How can I help?

If you can, please donate.

Our live-saving operations run on donations. If you can’t donate right now, consider spreading the word. Talk about the agreement between Libya and Italy and how both humanitarians and vulnerable people in distress at sea are being flagrantly attacked.

Solidarity is not a crime.