Libya’s Attorney General’s Office announced on March 15, 2024, the discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 21 individuals. The announcement follows the charging of a suspect, identified by the initials M.F.H., with human trafficking linked to this tragic find. This development highlights the ongoing crisis surrounding migrant safety in Libya, a country that has become a focal point for human trafficking in recent years.
The mass grave was uncovered during a joint investigation conducted by the Internal Security Agency and Battalion 166. Authorities have ordered DNA samples to be collected from the remains to assist in identifying the deceased, and full autopsies will be performed to determine their causes of death. The suspect M.F.H. has a troubling history, having previously faced charges for three offenses related to the murder of migrants, along with additional human trafficking charges.
In response to this discovery, Refugees in Libya, an organization registered in Italy that supports refugees, has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, to evaluate the case. They stated, “The killings… occurred within a system where people are blocked, intercepted, returned, and abandoned in Libya after being denied safe pathways to protection. This demands accountability beyond Libya.”
In parallel, Seawatch International, a non-governmental organization focused on rescuing migrants in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, condemned European Union policies that they argue endanger migrant lives. They stated, “Horrifying news: In Libya, a mass grave with at least 21 persons was discovered. Their deaths are a direct consequence of EU migration politics. Libya is not a safe place for people on the move!”
The situation in Libya has deteriorated significantly since the NATO intervention in 2011, which led to the downfall of former leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Libya has increasingly become a hub for human trafficking, with authorities previously discovering nearly 50 bodies in two separate mass graves in February 2025. The country also serves as a departure point for migrants attempting to reach Nicaragua, often with the ultimate goal of reaching the United States.
According to Article 426 of the Libyan Penal Code, trafficking in enslaved individuals is punishable by a maximum of ten years in prison. Additionally, Article 428 addresses the unlawful deprivation of liberty, imposing a penalty of up to five years. A report by the United States State Department has identified systemic issues such as a lack of a functioning judiciary, rampant corruption, and the influence of armed non-state groups as contributing factors to the rise in human trafficking in Libya.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring that those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable, while also addressing the broader issues that lead to such tragedies in Libya.
