In a significant operation highlighted on social media, the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency in Libya has successfully repatriated 30 Nigerian migrants from Benghazi.
This operation, conducted in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, is part of Libya’s continuous efforts to address the challenges of irregular migration.
This recent action follows the deportation of 26 Egyptian migrants, who were sent back to their homeland via the Imsaad Land Crossing last Monday, showcasing the Libyan authorities’ resolve in managing migration flows.
Further emphassing the scale of migration activities, the agency’s Benghazi branch reported the detention of over 1,500 migrants earlier this year, underscoring the ongoing struggle with migration issues in the region.
Moreover, an Italian security report sheds light on the broader Mediterranean migration trend, indicating that Italy saw the arrival of 157,551 migrants in 2023 alone. The report details that Tunisia, Libya, and Turkey are the primary departure points for migrants heading to Italy, with Tunisian migrants leading the influx, followed by those from Libya and Turkey.
Notably, August 2023 experienced the highest arrival rate, with an average of 828.16 migrants reaching Italian shores daily, highlighting the persistent and complex challenge of Mediterranean migration.
These developments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive migration management and cooperation between countries affected by the migration crisis, aiming to ensure safe and legal pathways for migrants and refugees.
On Thursday, a group of 22 organizations and academics urgently called upon Malta to halt the practice of forcibly returning asylum seekers to Libya.
This appeal comes in light of allegations that 83 individuals seeking asylum were pushed back to Libya, a country embroiled in conflict and instability.
Alarm Phone, an emergency rescue hotline, first raised concerns about these individuals being “abducted” from Malta’s search-and-rescue zone and “forcibly intercepted” by the Libyan Coastguard instead of being brought to safety.
The history of Malta’s interactions with migrants and asylum seekers has been fraught with controversy, including a notable operation in 2020 that returned individuals to Libya and documented aggression by the Libyan Coastguard against migrants in 2021. These actions have sparked international debate about Malta’s commitment to protecting those at risk at sea.
