The agreement between Italy and Libya, known as the Libya deal, has led to a decline in the number of migrants reaching Italy. Italy has been working with the Libyan government in Tripoli for eight years to stop migrants from leaving for Europe. However, according to several human rights organizations, this is happening at the expense of many lives. In addition, repression against aid organizations is now increasing. Among others, Doctors Without Borders, Terres des Hommes, and the Norwegian Refugee Council are no longer allowed to enter the country.
According to UNICEF's annual report, there were more than 24,000 unaccompanied minor foreigners in Libya in 2023. Some of them are staying in the notorious detention centers throughout the country. Exact figures on how many minors are in detention are difficult to provide, but the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates the number to be in the hundreds in August 2023. These centers are known for the human rights violations that take place there. Abuse, rape, slavery, and murder are commonplace.
At the end of May, dozens of bodies were discovered at a detention center in Tripoli. The center is controlled by the SSA, a militia affiliated with the government in Tripoli that is also involved in stopping migrants who want to go to Europe. Traces of torture were found on the bodies, according to the United Nations (UN). The identities of the victims are still unknown. The UN has called for an investigation into the situation and for those responsible to be punished.
This is not the first time that mass graves containing the remains of migrants have been discovered in Libya. In February 2025, two mass graves containing a total of 93 human remains of migrants were found in the south of the country. In March, 65 bodies were discovered in the southwest, also belonging to migrants.
Following the discovery of the mass graves, the government in Tripoli has become more active in combating human traffickers. At the end of March, four suspects were arrested. They are alleged to have detained and tortured 164 migrants in order to obtain ransom money. Of this group, 71 people had paid €10,000 for their release. They were from Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia.
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