Authorities have reported that a Libyan court has handed down prison sentences to 37 individuals found guilty of human trafficking, specifically related to the tragic deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean.
Libya, located in North Africa, serves as a significant departure point for migrants, many of whom embark on the perilous sea journey in search of a better life in Europe.
The appeals court in Al-Bayda, situated approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, delivered the verdict against a criminal gang responsible for organizing the transportation of migrants on a dilapidated boat, resulting in the loss of 11 lives, according to a statement released by the prosecution.
While the identities and nationalities of the convicted traffickers were not disclosed by the prosecutor’s office, it was revealed that five of them received life sentences, while nine others were sentenced to 15 years in prison. The remaining individuals were given one-year prison terms.
The war-torn state of Libya serves as a significant launching point for migrants, often fleeing from conflict and poverty in countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Their ultimate goal is to reach the Italian shores, located just 290 kilometers (180 miles) north across the Mediterranean, despite it being the deadliest migratory sea route in the world.
Following the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, which resulted in the overthrow and death of former leader Moamer Kadhafi, Libya descended into years of chaos. This instability paved the way for human trafficking to flourish within the country.
Libya has faced frequent criticism for its treatment of migrants, with numerous reports from rights groups detailing horrific abuses committed by smuggling gangs and within state-run detention centers.
A United Nations fact-finding mission on human rights in Libya, in its March report, revealed instances of sexual slavery being perpetrated against trapped migrants, categorizing it as a crime against humanity.
In October 2021, both the United States and the United Nations imposed sanctions on Osama Al Kuni Ibrahim, a Libyan individual accused of subjecting African migrants to abuse at a detention center in Libya.