Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has called on the Irish government to insist on an end to all European Union funding and supports to the Libyan Coastguard following a meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons.

The meeting was attended by representatives of SOS Méditerranée France who detailed in stark terms the role of the Libyan Coastguard in orchestrating a litany of human rights abuses against human beings seeking rescue in the Mediterranean sea where at least 25,000 human beings have perished in the last decade.

Senator Gavan said:

“We were informed of a vicious circle of abuse fed by EU funding. We were told of harrowing levels of violence against migrants captured by the coastguard including torture, rape, ransoms, slavery, degrading treatment, lack of care and food. The victims in many cases have to pay smugglers to escape this Libyan hell, with clear porosity between Libyan coastguards, militias and human traffickers.

“There is no longer any debate as to the wicked role played by the Libyan Coastguard, yet it continues to receive millions of euros in funding for “training” and equipment. The end result is a lucrative system of human trafficking, violence and abuses that is sustained and perpetuated by EU financial support.

“The Irish government has been silent for too long on this issue. They should call for the immediate suspension of all EU co-operation with the Libyan coastguard, along with the suspension of all financial and material support. We must also see the EU implement  monitoring of international maritime law and human rights violations and accountability mechanisms.

“The mass drownings in the Mediterranean will only be halted by upholding maritime law, implementing state led rescue missions, and giving supports to the life saving work of organisations like SOS Méditerranée.”