The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday said that 77 illegal migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast.
“We reiterate that Libya is not a safe port to return refugees and migrants to,’’ UNHCR said.
Because of insecurity and chaos that followed the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe.
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), more than 11,000 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2020.
ALSO READ: 65 illegal immigrants arrested in Zambian capital
The IOM also said that hundreds of illegal migrants have died and others have gone missing on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year.
Thousands of illegal migrants, who were either rescued at sea or arrested by the authorities, remain detained inside overcrowded reception centers, despite repeated international calls to close those centers. (Xinhua/NAN)
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...
![Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Faruk Yahaya during the visit to wounded troops [PHOTO CREDIT: @NigerianArmy]](https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/06/203755062_3769112886534342_2573196198767654412_n.jpg?resize=120%2C86&ssl=1)
![ARMY: Nigerian Soldiers (Army) on duty. [PHOTO CREDIT: The Guardian]](https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/07/images-131.jpeg?resize=75%2C75&ssl=1)
Discussion about this post