On Saturday, Libyan authorities initiated the deportation of dozens of migrants, including Egyptians, diagnosed with infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. This decision reflects Libya’s growing concern over public health and immigration control.
In a statement, the Administration for Combating Illegal Immigration in Benghazi has begun transferring around 78 Egyptian migrants from the Qanfouda shelter centre in Benghazi to the Amsaad land port, in preparation for their deportation.
The deportation order includes individuals confirmed to have serious infectious diseases. Additionally, 27 other migrants, comprising 14 Egyptians along with Sudanese and Chadian nationals, are also being deported through the same port.
In a related development, the Libyan authorities in the Al-Wahat region disclosed the deportation of 87 individuals suffering from hepatitis and AIDS. This group includes migrants from Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, highlighting the diverse origins of the affected individuals.
This action follows a previous decision by the Libyan government two months earlier to deport 600 Egyptians who had entered Libya illegally. The Libyan Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency in Tripoli had then stated that these migrants were to be sent back to Egypt through the Amsaad border crossing.
In a notable incident last July, Libyan authorities thwarted an attempt by hundreds of illegal migrants to travel to Italy via the Libyan coast. This group included 25 Egyptian children, aged between 11 and 17 years, primarily from a single village in Egypt’s Sharqia Governorate.
The issue of excessive migration has been a persistent challenge for Libya, a key transit point for migrants aiming to reach Europe. Egypt, too, has been actively addressing this issue. The Egyptian government has previously condemned the exploitation of individuals by organized crime groups facilitating unwanted migration. As part of its efforts, Egypt has implemented strict laws and border control measures to prevent unwanted migration, emphasising the need for regional cooperation to effectively manage this complex issue.