Informal (micro-)solidarity in Libya

Introduction: This research analyzes different forms of informal (micro-)solidarity among and towards people on the move in Libya, namely those manifestations of mutual or unilateral solidarity that do not happen in formal contexts. While formal solidarity is best exemplified by the different forms of support provided by IOs or humanitarian NGOs (e.g. in official detention centres), informal (micro-)solidarity rather emerges as mutual help within migrant groups or in the form of unexpected, natural gestures from external actors that migrants happen to come across while in the process of route-making towards Europe. These gestures may have significant positive impacts on migrant trajectories.

Context: In Libya, heavy limitations are imposed on formal solidarity provided by pro-migrant international organisations and civil society actors. Migrants’ agency in Libya is severely restricted as well, by both state and non-state actors, as people on the move are exposed to all kinds of abuses. Finally, intended informal support to migrants (e.g. from political activists) is nearly impossible. However, there is still some room for informal solidarity manifestations: from within migrant groups (endogenous solidarity) as well as from external actors (exogenous solidarity). Informal solidarity dynamics and interactions may contribute to route-making through more or less spontaneous cooperation, more or less organized (mutual) help. As opposed to the case of migrant mobilisations and protests in Libya, which was the research question of Node 1, actions based on informal (micro-)solidarity are not directly addressing external institutional or otherwise formal actors (e.g. local, national, international authorities, or non-governmental organizations), asking them for help, assistance, support, or simply the recognition of someone’s rights. Instead, these actions are directly aimed at route-making, despite the action or inaction of the above external actors and regardless of existing legal frameworks or humanitarian considerations. Informal solidarity acts create opportunities for the actors themselves to autonomously shape their trajectories, break free from immobilization, and continue their journeys.

Research questions: The research examines different forms of informal (micro-)solidarity, both endogenous (from within a given migrant group and within a given space) and exogenous (from external actors). Its first aim is to describe how and in how far informal (micro-)solidarity actions contribute to supporting people on the move in their route-making attempts. Who are the relevant actors? What are their motivations? What kind of solidarity acts do they perform, and where? How do their gestures facilitate route-making in practice? Based on the previous step, the research aims to put forward a notion of informal solidarity to be applied to the process of route-making.

Methodology: The research draws on life stories, interviews and informal conversations with individuals who have transited through Libya on their way to Europe. Research participants may also include other categories of people (e.g. journalists, researchers, activists, NGO/IO representatives etc.), both Libyan and international, who may be themselves informal solidarity actors or may have witnessed, or otherwise have knowledge of, instances of informal (micro-)solidarity.