The English-speaking Gambian newspaper “Foroyaa” described the Mediterranean Sea as a “vast graveyard” for irregular migrants departing from Libya, citing testimonies from survivors and activists about abuses and horrors inside Libyan detention centers.
Survivors’ Testimonies on Torture and Extortion
Sudanese national “Rashid” (17) recounted that he was “detained, tortured, and forced to watch executions,” adding, “People were shot in front of us and we were told this would be our fate if we didn’t pay the ransom.” Another survivor from the “notorious” Tajoura detention center confirmed that “the ransom is $3,000 for Sudanese and $5,000 for Eritreans,” pointing to “scenes of women being raped,” the sick being isolated instead of treated, and his six failed escape attempts. A third survivor named “Lam” said, “Libya is not a safe place for migrants… We are looking for a second chance at life.”
Accusations Against Maritime Authorities and Implication of European Parties
“David Yambio,” co-founder of the organization “Refugees in Libya,” said, “Those intercepted at sea are returned to the cycle of abuse in detention centers,” asserting, “The Libyan Coast Guard doesn’t save people; it returns them to torture.” “Hassan Naqd” of the “Welcome United” association considered that “the automatically renewed memorandum of understanding between Italy and the Libyan Coast Guard makes Italy complicit in crimes against humanity,” according to the newspaper.