Tripoli – The Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, has warned that Libya remains a dangerous place for migrants and asylum seekers compared to other North African countries, where they are subjected to serious abuses including kidnapping and torture at the hands of smuggling networks and armed groups.
In statements to “The Arab Weekly” newspaper published Saturday, Pope said that the majority of deaths in the Mediterranean were of migrants who departed from Libya, making the Libyan route to Europe the most dangerous of all.
She added that there are repeated reports of migrants being held for ransom and subjected to serious abuses by non-state actors within the country.
The UN official noted that the resurgence of migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks inside Libya in recent years increases the risks, stressing that the country represents a trap for many migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
Pope also addressed the impact of the civil war in Sudan on migration, noting that the conflict has driven large numbers of Sudanese to flee to Libya. Data from the UNHCR shows that more than 357,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in the country since April 2023, which has further deteriorated the conditions for migrants.
In addition to the security risks, Pope pointed to a decline in international funding allocated to support migrants, emphasizing that the significant decrease in resources has affected the ability to provide necessary care and protection.
She explained that migrants in Libya come from several countries, including Asian nations, as they see Libya as a gateway to Europe. However, she stressed that the situation within the country imposes far greater challenges on them compared to other North African countries.