Politics
THE Migration Enlightenment Project Nigeria, MEPN, has warned Nigerian migrants to steer clear of Libya.
According to a press statement issued by the organisation, the ongoing developments in the Mediterranean basin as they affect migrants are too worrisome for migrants to risk their lives there.
Besides, the MEPN said there are policies aimed at reducing the number of migrants arriving in Europe across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, especially Libya, hence, there are measures put in place to trap refugees in the region and also expose them to harsh living conditions and widespread human rights abuses.
Nevertheless, the MEPN said in its statement signed by Kenneth Gbandi and Femi Awoniyi, co-founders and coordinators of the group, that: “Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Unity issued a directive in August 2017, compelling NGO rescue ships to seek official permission before entering Libya’s waters to carry out rescue operations. This means less search-and-rescue missions for capsized boats and increasing fatalities among those crossing the Mediterranean on these boats.
“Increased European cash aid to many Libyan coastal towns has enabled them to clamp down on the activities of people smugglers
“Similarly, Italy’s financial support for Libya’s coast guards has enabled a more effective patrol of the nation’s coasts.
“Inhabitants of coastal towns tired of seeing dead bodies of migrants, whose boats had capsized in the Mediterranean, washing up on their beaches are forming vigilante groups to curb the activities of people smugglers.
“All these developments are pushing migrant smugglers into taking more dangerous routes with smaller, even more overcrowded boats. Although the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean between 1 January to 13 September 2017 has dramatically declined (to 128,863 from 293,806 during the same period in 2016), some experts say that the proportion of those dying at sea has risen.
“Moreover, there is an ongoing internal conflict in southern Libya not to mention that the country as a whole is still contending with ISIS and other radical extremist groups, divisions between two warring governments and a crumbling economy.
“International organisations estimate that between 800,000 and 1 million migrants are in Libya waiting to make the dangerous crossing across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.”
Based on the developments, the MEPN said migrants leaving for Libya would be toying with their lives.
It warned: “The illegal route to Europe is dangerous enough but it has now become more lethal. This year alone, according to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 2,550 migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean with many more believed to have died en route.”
It, therefore, advised Nigerian migrants not to travel Europe through irregular routes, such as Libya, but go through approved and legal travel channels.
– Oct 18, 2017 @ 17:50 GMT
Tags: MEPN warns Nigerian migrants to Steer clear of Libya
