A confidential UN briefing seen by Reuters alleges that Tunisian border guards have been involved in rounding up migrants and handing them over to Libyan counterparts. The migrants, upon reaching Libya, reportedly face severe abuses including forced labor, extortion, torture, and even death.
According to the UN briefing dated January 23, 2024, and shared with regional diplomats, hundreds of migrants were transferred from Tunisia to Libya. Tarek Lamioun, a Libyan human rights expert, suspects that these transfers continued as recently as May 2024, estimating that at least 2,000 migrants have been affected this year alone.
The briefing describes these actions as “collective expulsions,” highlighting that Tunisian and Libyan officials collaborated to transport migrants to detention centers such as al-Assa and Nalout in Libya. Subsequently, migrants were moved to the Bir al-Ghanam facility near Tripoli, managed by Libya’s Department to Combat Illegal Migration and the Libyan coast guard, both previously implicated in human rights abuses.
Detainees allegedly endured dire conditions in these facilities, with overcrowded cells, inadequate sanitation, and extortion practices demanding thousands of dollars for release. Reports from witnesses detailed horrific incidents including burnings and shootings by border guards, alongside claims of traffickers operating within the ranks.
Despite repeated denials and affirmations of respect for human rights from Tunisian and Libyan authorities, international scrutiny continues. Last year, a UN fact-finding mission found evidence of crimes against humanity committed against migrants in Libyan detention centers, casting doubt on the efficacy of EU-backed migration management policies.