On Monday, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya announced that more than 160 illegal migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya, in the past 24 hours.
In a tweet, the IOM stressed that Libya needs to provide safe landing through its ports, dismantle its detention system, and lift restrictions on the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Last week, the IOM announced that at least 11,891 illegal immigrants, including 811 women and 711 children were intercepted in the Mediterranean and returned to Libya in 2020. An estimated 316 migrants have died, with a further 417 others remaining lost at sea.
Thousands of migrants remain detained in overcrowded detention centres, despite repeated international calls to close these centres.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reiterated that Libya is not a safe port for migrants and that they must not be returned there.
Libya has become the preferred point of departure for thousands of migrants wishing to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.