A 22-year-old Kurdish man from Iraqi Kurdistan has died in a Libyan detention center after suffering from starvation and illness. The young man, named Hogr Aso, left his hometown in Sulaimaniyah province on August 31 in search of a better life in Europe. His body has now been returned to Iraq, leaving his family devastated and raising concerns about the treatment of migrants held in Libya.
Hogr’s father said his son decided to leave because of unemployment and hopelessness. He traveled legally to Libya through Egypt, but Libyan guards detained him soon after his arrival. According to his father, Hogr was kept in the detention center for 40 days before he died. He explained that his son was healthy when he left home and even during the first weeks of detention, but later began to suffer from breathing problems and severe hunger due to poor living conditions.
The father described harsh conditions inside the center. He said detainees were only given one piece of bread per day and sometimes macaroni that could not be eaten. More than 500 people had to share one toilet, and the building was cold with no carpets or heating. These conditions led to illness and suffering for many migrants.
A member of Community Peacemaker Teams in Iraqi Kurdistan stated online that the Iraqi Embassy in Libya was contacted many times but did not take action to help. Even though a doctor suggested that Hogr should be taken to the hospital, the request was ignored. This left Hogr without medical care, and he died on October 21.
Why are so many young people taking dangerous migration routes?
Many young Kurds say they leave because they cannot find jobs, face economic crisis, and feel they have no future in their hometowns. Some believe that moving to Europe is the only way to improve their lives, even though the journey is risky.
Hogr’s father said he had been earning very little from daily labor, only enough to cover basic needs. He urged the Kurdistan Regional Government to create more job opportunities so that young people will not feel forced to risk their lives by attempting migration through Libya and other dangerous routes. He asked other parents to stop their sons from making the same journey.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has said it will investigate the cause of Hogr’s death. Meanwhile, a member of the Iraqi Parliament said the Iraqi Embassy in Libya does not have enough resources to support detainees, though it should be able to help migrants more effectively. He added that ongoing political and economic problems in Kurdistan continue to push young people to leave.
Iraqi Kurdistan is currently facing rising unemployment, delayed government salaries, and political tensions, making many young people feel trapped. Families like Hogr’s say they hope his story will serve as a warning to others about the risks of irregular migration.