Online course: Protection of Migrants and Refugees with Libyan Officials - 22nd to 25th February 2021

Between the 22nd and 25th of February, Forward Thinking in cooperation with the Order of Malta and the International Insitute of Humanitarian Law at San Remo organised a series of workshops for Libyan officials at the forefront of the migrant crisis in the country. During this workshop, officials from the various ministries within Libya attended meeting addressing the legal framework of international protection, protection challenges in the context of mixed movements, Trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, international protection at sea with specific focus on the order of Malta search and rescue experience as well as security considerations in international protection focusing on detention and alternative to the detention centres. During this workshop International frameworks and conventions were examined such as the UNHCR’s 1951 Convention on Refugees coupled with the non-refoulment principal.Such discussions were imperative to shaping a greater understanding on key issues that not only affect Libyan authorities who were dealing with the migration crisis unfolding in Libya but also allows them to develop solutions to help the migrant population, as well as engage with European counterparts on the best methods to strengthen their responses such as search and rescue missions. Alternatives to detention was noted as a fundamental area that requires significant attention from both Libyan authorities and the international community. Libyan authorities on this call have emphasised the importance of collaborating and cooperating with European countries to uphold and safeguard fundamental human rights standards. These fruitful discussions allowed officials from different ministries and political backgrounds to engage on a shared challenge of mutual concern. Through this space they were able to develop practical recommendations that can be harnessed in future workshops as well as explored on the ground with different NGOs and other colleagues in the political sphere. This workshop catalysed productive critical thinking that can be developed in a future workshop programme in collaboration with Forward Thinking and the Order of Malta.