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Qaddafi, Muammar al-

Italy's Response to Libya Crisis Falls Short, Says Human Rights Watch

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was slow to condemn the violence in Libya, with Human Rights Watch criticizing his government for speaking softly about protecting demonstrators. Berlusconi's relationship with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been a longstanding one, with the Italian government waiting until February 22, 2011, to call Gaddafi to urge a halt to the violence. The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, initially stated that the EU should not interfere in Libya's affairs, but later changed his tone, saying that mass slaughter on the streets was unacceptable.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Italian government has been criticized for being slow to condemn the violence in Libya, with Human Rights Watch urging Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to use his relationship with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to protect protesters.
  • Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini initially stated that the EU should not interfere in Libya's affairs, but later changed his tone, saying that mass slaughter on the streets was unacceptable.
  • The Italian government has been warned by Human Rights Watch to press for strong action by the EU and UN, including an immediate embargo on exporting arms and security equipment to Libya.
  • The Italian government is urging the EU to share the burden of any influx of migrants and asylum seekers from Libya and other countries.
  • Over 5,500 Tunisians have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa in the past month.
  • Italy has demanded that the EU share the burden of any influx of migrants and asylum seekers from Libya and other countries.
  • Human Rights Watch has criticized the Italian government's "pushback" policy with Libya, which has seen over 600 people intercepted and sent back to Libya without screening for international protection.
  • The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recognized 8,000 refugees in Libya, with at least 3,000 asylum seekers awaiting a decision.
  • Italy, the colonial occupier of Libya from 1911 to 1943, has extensive business relations with the country, with Italian oil giant ENI being the largest producer of oil and gas in Libya.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 Libyans have been killed, according to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
  • 5,500 Tunisians have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa in the past month.
  • 8,000 refugees have been recognized in Libya by the UNHCR.
  • 3,000 asylum seekers are awaiting a decision in Libya.
  • 600 people were intercepted and sent back to Libya without screening for international protection as part of Italy's "pushback" policy with Libya in 2009.
  • Italy is Libya's biggest trading partner in the EU.
  • Libya owns 7.6 percent of UniCredit SpA, Italy's largest bank.
  • The Italian oil giant ENI supplies 10 percent of Italy's natural gas through its Greenstream pipeline.
  • Italy has pledged US$5 billion over 20 years in return for lucrative deals for Italian businesses, including ENI.

Sources:

  • Human Rights Watch
  • Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • United Nations Human Rights Council
  • Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
  • Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
  • ENI (Italian oil giant)
  • UniCredit SpA (Italy's largest bank)

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