A Study on smuggling of migrants: characteristics, responses and cooperation with third countries. Case Study 2: Ethiopia – Libya – Malta/Italy

This case study has been developed in the framework of the EU-funded “Study on smuggling of migrants: characteristics, responses and cooperation with third countries”. Five case studies served as an information collection tool to contribute to the data collection of the larger study, in order to provide detailed information on the phenomenon of migrant smuggling and policies to address it as occurring in particular countries or along particular route segments. The rationale for the decision on case study countries and route segments covered has been made based on their relevance according to indicators such as the number of irregular migrants apprehended (particularly based on Frontex data), border type, modus operandi, migration route and relationship with third countries, following the requirements in line with the tender specifications for the Study. In this case study Ethiopia was selected as the country of departure, with Libya chosen as a transit country and Malta and Italy as the countries of first entry to EU. This case study covers the land border from Ethiopia via Sudan to Libya, as well as the sea border from Libya to Malta and Italy. It focuses on the East Africa route and the Central Mediterranean sea border route