Migrants Exploited: Libya's Human Rights Crisis
The humanitarian crisis in Libya has taken a disturbing turn, with countless foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, facing horrific abuses at the hands of traffickers, smugglers, and criminal groups. These individuals are subjected to abductions for ransom, torture, and sexual violence, while religious minorities, particularly Christian migrants and refugees, are vulnerable to persecution by armed groups (Ferrari, 2025). The ongoing crisis has persisted for nearly a decade, and recent reports indicate a resurgence of these inhumane acts.
A viral video released by the North Africa Post on January 6, 2025, depicting the brutal treatment of 20-year-old Naima Jamal, an Ethiopian migrant, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability. Naima, who fled violence in Ethiopia's Oromia region, was captured by traffickers upon her arrival in Libya. Her family, unable to pay the extortionate ransom demands, received harrowing footage of her suffering, highlighting the horrifying conditions many migrants endure in the country. As of now, two gang members have been arrested for their involvement in the torture and detention of 263 migrants. Migrants face ransoms as high as $17,000 for Somali individuals and $10,000 for Eritreans, subjecting them to horrific abuse and extortion. So far the Libyan government has managed to arrest about 2 members of a criminal gang who deliberately took part in the abductions and torturing of migrants (New Vision, 2025).
David Yambio, spokesman for Refugees in Libya, highlighted the interconnectedness of European migration policy and the catastrophic conditions faced by migrants. He criticised European agreements with Libya, stating that they empower militant groups rather than protecting human rights. Human rights organisations have likened the treatment of migrants to slavery and extortion, emphasizing the inconsistencies between the rhetoric of European leaders and the harsh realities faced by migrants (Ferrari, 2025).
The African Commission of Human and People’s Rights has reacted to the situation in Libya, calling on the Libyan Government to conduct an independent, impartial, and prompt investigation into these violations and hold those responsible accountable. The Commission stresses the importance of cooperation among African Union Member States to protect migrants and address the root causes of migrant smuggling and human trafficking (African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, 2025).
The dire circumstances faced by migrants in Libya underscore the urgent need for reform and greater protection of human rights. The African Commission of Human and People’s Rights highlights the need for increased protection of all migrants and addressing the economic, governance, and security factors driving irregular migration in Africa. Amid the horrors, there is hope expressed through solidarity efforts among organizations advocating for migrants' rights. Innocent lives should not be traded for political gains or false promises of safety.
Photo by EyeEm on Freepik https://www.freepik.com/author/EyeEm
References
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. 2025. “Press release on the situation of sub-Saharan migrants in the State of Libya.” African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2025-02-03/sub-saharan-migrants-state-libya.
Ferrari, Don Mattia. 2025. “Subversive act”. https://worldcrunch.com/migrant-lives-1/libya-migrants-torture.
New Vision. 2025. “Libya arrests two over detention, torture of migrants.” New Vision. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/world/libya-arrests-two-over-detention-torture-of-m-NV_204075.
The North Africa Post. 2025. “Human rights violations against migrants in Libya exposed amid ongoing crisis – The North Africa Post.” The North Africa Post. https://northafricapost.com/83898-human-rights-violations-against-migrants-in-libya-exposed-amid-ongoing-crisis.html.
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