Irregular Migration in Libya: A Legal and Security Approach to Understanding the Context and Proposing Solutions

Abstract

This study offers a doctrinal and policy-oriented analysis of irregular migration in Libya, addressing the phenomenon through a dual legal and security lens. It identifies key legal shortcomings, including the absence of a cohesive legislative framework, weak harmonization with international legal instruments, and limited enforcement capacity. Security-related challenges are also examined, notably the fragility of border control mechanisms, institutional fragmentation, and the prevalence of transnational smuggling networks. In response, the study advocates comprehensive legislative reform aligned with international standards, enhanced implementation of treaty obligations, and strengthened cross-border judicial cooperation, without compromising state sovereignty. Preventive security measures—such as institutional capacity building, regional coordination, and the modernization of border surveillance systems—are also emphasized. The research aims to contribute to legal and policy discourse by proposing integrative solutions that reconcile humanitarian principles with Libya’s sovereign imperatives.