The number of violence against refugees in the Mediterranean is increasing. This is primarily carried out by militias such as the Libyan Coast Guard. The forces receive significant support from Germany and the EU.

The year 2026 is with 26 cases, according to the rescue organizationSeaWatchthe year with the most cases of extreme violence against refugees in the Mediterranean since records began in 2016. A total of 107 cases of serious violence were recorded in ten years, but there is very likely a higher number of unreported cases of violence that cannot be included in the statistics.

This violence is carried out by Libyan militias, 70 percent of which are the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. The Libyan coast guard is by far the most dangerous actor in the Mediterranean. In 2025 there were 22Violent incidentsrecorded, in 2024 there were 14.

The violence that is carried out there against fleeing people can take different forms. This includes the shelling of refugees and rescue ships, the intimidation, persecution and threats of sea rescuers and illegal instructions to rescue ships to leave their locations. As well as forcing refugees to go overboard and hindering rescue operations. This practice causes numerous deaths at sea.

Shots at Sea Watch: The Libyan coast guard as an extension of the EU's isolation policy

The role of the EU

The EU is not only aware of all this, it also supports the actions of the Libyan militias financially and through training programs, thereby enabling the violence on this scale. According to calculations by SOS Humanity, over 84 million euros have flowed from the EU to Libya between 2015 and today, which is used there, among other things, to train and equip the militias. Italy, for example, also provides its own discarded boats to the Libyan coast guard.

People who are intercepted by the militias while fleeing are then forcibly returned to Libya, where they face various forms of torture and ill-treatment in custody. This also includes sexual violence or forced labor. In 2025, 27,000 people were intercepted in the Mediterranean and taken to Libya.

The so-called sea rescue control center in Libya's capital Tripoli is part of this process. The boats that violently prevent people from escaping and bring them back to Libya are also coordinated from there. Several sea rescue services have therefore stopped communicating with the office in Tripoli.

It is known that serious violent crimes against people take place there. However, the EU ensures that this approach is maintained.

The EU Commission is planning a massive expansion of Frontex

Germany's participation

On November 4th, the German Bundestag discussed the further participation of German armed forces in the EU mission “Eunavfor med Irini”. The German Bundeswehr has been participating in the EU Irini mission since 2020, which includes, among other things, training and financial support for the Libyan coast guard. The federal government wants to extend the Bundeswehr's participation in this mission until November 2027. Up to 300Soldiersthe Bundeswehr should be able to be used for this purpose.

Interior Minister Dobrindt recently accused the aid organization Sea-Watch of being close to smugglers. The Greens asked Dobrindt's ministry whether it could substantiate the allegations. The Federal Ministry of the Interiorreplied:

“The smugglers take into account the ships sailing in the sea area off the Libyan coast in their modus operandi, since all ships are obliged under international maritime law to provide emergency assistance at sea.” And: “Rescuing people in distress at sea is a humanitarian and international law obligation.”

The statement does not contain any evidence for Dobrindt's allegations, but on the contrary exposes them as unfounded. While the need for sea rescue is officially recognized, attempts are being made to delegitimize it at the same time. Sea Watchcallsthe Federal Government to stop cooperation with the Libyan forces:

"This is lethal violence with European money. The German Bundeswehr must never train human rights criminals!

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