Migrant crisis as massive country refuses to become ‘world’s garbage bin’

Hundreds of Libyans have taken to the streets in a wave of protests against the rising number of undocumented migrants in the country, demanding urgent action from both their government and the United Nations. The demonstrations, held outside the UN’s offices in Tripoli and other major cities, saw protesters brandishing banners and chanting slogans denouncing the influx, which they claim has overwhelmed local communities and turned Libya into “the world’s garbage bin”.

The protests come amid growing frustration over the presence of tens of thousands of migrants who have entered the country in recent years, many fleeing conflict and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. While Libya has long been a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, the surge in arrivals has created mounting tensions between local populations, authorities, and international aid agencies. Residents at the demonstrations accused the UN and other international organisations of failing to respect Libya’s sovereignty and of ignoring the economic and social pressures migrants place on communities.

Protesters on Thursday (June 4) chanted “Libya belongs to Libyans” and called for the closure of the UNHCR headquarters in the capital. They were seen holding signs reading: “Our love for our country is not racism” and “Libya is not the world’s garbage bin,” according to Al Jazeera.

The protest was the largest of several recent anti-migrant demonstrations in Libya, which saw attendees erect tents, then bring a truck full ⁠of sand and close the main gate of the building ⁠with a barrier, while shouting: “The Libyan people have said their word,” and carrying signs reading “No to intruders in our country, take them out”.

Libya, with an estimated total population of about 7 million, hosts about ⁠900,000 migrants, according to International Organization for Migration estimates. Many are Sudanese refugees who have fled the civil war in their home country.

The UN agency in Libya, UNSMIL, affirmed the rights of all Libyans to express their opinions, but warned about the spread of “misleading information and hate speech” regarding its work in the country, “which contributes to increased tensions and incitement against the UN national and international officials”.

UN agencies “are not implementing any programmes to resettle migrants in Libya and all claims against that are completely unhealthy”, the mission said in a statement on Thursday. The UNHCR is “working to find solutions outside Libya for people fleeing wars, conflicts and persecution, including evacuation to third countries, and voluntary return to their countries when circumstances allow”, it added.

It also condemned any incitement of violence or threats targeting UN staff, as well as acts of vandalism and attacks on its personnel and property.