IOM: 650 Migrants Intercepted & Returned to Libya
The tragic tally includes five recovered bodies, underscoring the dangers of the Central Mediterranean route. The IOM provided emergency medical assistance and lifesaving support to returnees upon disembarkation. A Worsening Trend
So far this year, 10,634 migrants have been intercepted and returned, while 249 others have died and 226 remain missing on the perilous sea crossing.
Since Muammar Gaddafi's 2011 fall, Libya has been a major transit hub. Migrants—especially from sub-Saharan Africa—often attempt to cross to Europe despite high risks.
Upon their return, most migrants are detained in Libya's overcrowded reception centres, where persistent concerns over inhuman conditions prompt repeated calls for reform. Humanitarian and Legal Pressures
Humanitarian agencies like the IOM and UNHCR have denounced returns to Libya, citing systemic rights violations in transit centres, including torture, forced labor, and sexual violence.
The European Union's cooperation with the Libyan coastguard—funding and training—has also drawn criticism amid reports of abuse of intercepted migrants. Calls for Change
Advocates call for alternatives to Libya's current approach:
Designating alternative safe disembarkation points
Strengthening humanitarian reception infrastructure
Expanding voluntary return mechanisms and resettlement pathways
'Libya cannot be considered a safe port,' the IOM reiterated amid ongoing interceptions.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: euIOMlibyaMediterraneanmigrants
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
4 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libyan Army Conducts Military Operation Against Criminal Gangs on Southern Border
On Wednesday, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced a successful security operation carried out by units from the 676th Infantry Battalion, targeting a hideout used by transnational criminal networks operating near Libya's southern border. According to a statement from the LNA's Media Division, the operation led to the arrest of a large number of individuals involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other illegal cross-border activities. Those apprehended are reportedly of various African nationalities. In addition to the arrests, Libyan forces confiscated a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and several off-road desert vehicles commonly used for smuggling operations. The raid was part of the LNA's ongoing mission to secure Libya's southern frontier, which has long been a hotspot for organized crime due to porous borders and limited state control. The army emphasized that these criminal groups not only pose a threat to Libya's internal stability but also jeopardize the broader security of the region. The hideout, used as a base of operations for various illegal enterprises, was being monitored for weeks before the raid. The army's swift action neutralized a key node in the smuggling network that has exploited the remote desert terrain for illicit trade and human trafficking routes stretching into neighboring countries. Military officials stressed that the operation is part of a broader security strategy aimed at dismantling organized crime networks and reestablishing control over neglected border zones. They reaffirmed the army's determination to confront threats to Libya's sovereignty and prevent criminal actors from using southern Libya as a corridor for destabilizing activities. Security experts and local leaders have welcomed the operation, calling for continued coordination with neighboring countries and regional partners to ensure that transnational criminal elements are denied safe haven and financial lifelines. The LNA concluded its statement by pledging to continue such operations, signaling a broader campaign to reinforce state authority and restore security across Libya's border regions. Tags: borderGangshuman traffickinglibyaLibyan national armyOperation
Libya Review
10 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libya Crimes Watch Demands Libya Hand Over Osama Najim to ICC
Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) has strongly criticised the Libyan authorities for their continued failure to implement arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), particularly in the case of Osama Najim, the former director of Mitiga Prison, who is wanted for crimes against humanity. In a statement issued on 16 July, the human rights organisation voiced 'profound concern' over what it described as a lack of political will to cooperate with international justice mechanisms. LCW warned that the Libyan judiciary remains subject to political interference, hindering any serious effort to hold perpetrators of grave violations accountable. Osama Najim is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant issued in January 2025. He is accused of overseeing a range of severe human rights abuses at Mitiga Prison, including torture, rape, unlawful detention, and other crimes committed between 2015 and 2023. Despite the ICC's public warrant and mounting international calls, the Libyan government has not acted to arrest or surrender him. LCW has called on Libyan authorities to fulfil their obligations under international law and immediately surrender Najim and others wanted by the ICC. The group also urged State Parties to the Rome Statute to increase pressure on Libya through both legal and diplomatic channels to enforce the Court's decisions. In addition, LCW called on the ICC to reconsider its application of the 'principle of complementarity', arguing that Libya's national judiciary has proven incapable of delivering independent or effective justice in such cases. The group concluded that continued impunity for figures like Najim undermines prospects for justice, accountability, and long-term stability in Libya. Tags: iccLCWlibyaOsama NajimWar Crimes
Libya Review
10 hours ago
- Libya Review
Khaled Haftar Meets Head of International Committee of the Red Cross in Benghazi
Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar, Chief of Staff of Security Units in the Libyan National Army (LNA), held a meeting on Wednesday with Jan Fredy, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Libya. According to the Media Division of the LNA's General Command, the meeting took place at the Security Units Headquarters in Rajma, near Benghazi. No further details were disclosed regarding the content of the discussions or the outcomes of the meeting. The meeting underscores ongoing communication between the LNA and international humanitarian organisations operating in Libya. The ICRC has been active across the country, providing assistance to detainees, supporting healthcare services, and promoting international humanitarian law in conflict zones. While the specific agenda remains undisclosed, such meetings often cover issues related to the protection of civilians, humanitarian access to detention facilities, and the need to ensure adherence to international law during military operations. The LNA's engagement with the ICRC comes amid broader international efforts to stabilise Libya's security situation and improve the humanitarian environment in both eastern and western regions of the country. The ICRC has frequently urged all Libyan parties to respect the rights of detainees and ensure humane treatment, regardless of political or military affiliations. This meeting also highlights the ICRC's continuing role as a neutral intermediary working with all Libyan authorities. The organisation has repeatedly stressed its impartial approach, engaging with all sides to provide aid and support to those affected by years of conflict. Tags: ICRCKhaled HaftarlibyaLibyan armyLNA
