The findings raise fresh questions about Brussels\u2019 controversial funding and cooperation on migrant control with the North African country ahead of meetings between EU officials and the rivalrous east- and west-Libyan delegations in Warsaw and Brussels this week.<\/p>\n
Some EU lawmakers are urging the European Commission to cut its partnership with Tripoli altogether. In a letter addressed to the commissioners for migration and the Mediterranean, seen by POLITICO on Monday, a group of MEPs cite \u201cgross human rights violations including human trafficking, forced labor, starvation, sexual violence and torture\u201d by Libyan authorities.<\/p>\n
EU support has \u201cemboldened [the Libyan Coast Guard] to commit further abuses,\u201d the letter states, calling for an immediate halt to EU funding for Libyan security forces and the redirection of support toward civil society and U.N. actors.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers\u2019 appeal follows a\u00a0joint plea<\/a> from multiple NGOs in September for\u00a0Brussels to suspend ties after several attacks at sea. <\/p>\n EU officials have defended cooperation with Libyan authorities\u00a0as \u201cnecessary\u201d<\/a> to\u00a0save lives at sea, and the Commission has\u00a0dismissed calls<\/a> to end engagement\u00a0with the North African country.<\/p>\n