The whereabouts of twenty-eight migrant women and children are unknown after being captured by armed men in speed boats off the coast of Libya. As reported by the Associated Press, 112 migrants were attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea off Libya’s coast when the overcrowded, rubber dinghy carrying them began deflating.
“unacceptable”
According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), dozens of men and boys aboard the dinghy jumped into the sea when it began to deflate. MSF’s rescue ship, Geo Barents, reached the scene in international waters on Thursday and rescued 83 men and unaccompanied minors, including 70 who had jumped into the water.
The men in the two speedboats, who identified themselves as part of the Libyan Coast Guard, were nearby. After taking the women and children onboard, the men told the Geo Barents crew they would return them after rescuing the men but instead, sped away. Migrants reported that some of the armed men fired shots, though no fatalities occurred. The identities of the armed men remain unclear.
Maria Eliana Tunno, a psychologist aboard the Geo Barents said that what happened was unacceptable and put the lives of many people in danger. In addition, she expressed concern about the separation of families.
“They lived the horror of being separated from their wives and daughters, who were taken away.”
One man attempted to swim after his wife and two children, a baby and a 10-year-old. Tunno described the rescued men and boys as tired, desperate, and under shock, many bearing scars from abuses and inhumane treatment in Libya.
Libya is not a safe place
The migrants, primarily from Eritrea, Yemen, and Ethiopia, recounted their ordeal to Doctors Without Borders, who are now calling on regional authorities and organizations to help reunite the families. MSF emphasized that Libya is not a safe place.
Years ago, we uncovered the horrifying slave markets operating in Libya. The Libyan Coastguard, funded by the EU, intercepts refugees and migrants at sea, and returns them to Libya. However, many don’t even reach the official detention centers and are instead delivered to unofficial facilities controlled by traffickers and militias.
Tell the EU to end slavery in Libya
This year, more than 62,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea, a significant drop from the 152,000 arrivals in the same period last year. However, the United Nations reports that 2,124 migrants have died attempting the Central Mediterranean crossing in 2024.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s far-right-led government has enacted policies to curb migration, including multi-million euro agreements with Tunisia and Egypt to prevent departures and plans to establish migrant screening centers in Albania outside Europe’s borders.
Take action to urge the EU to end its complicity in these atrocities. Together, we can demand that human rights take precedence over policies that perpetuate modern slavery. Sign the petition now.
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This is strongly condemned and they have to be found urgently. Violence of any form is to be stopped immediately. who are the armed men and have to be dealt strongly and how are they promoted to do violence on women and children. Public have to know and the connections with these armed.