The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya has expressed deep regret over the death of 17 migrants after their boat sank off the shores of Sabratha.
In a statement, the commission held the European Union member states responsible for atrocities and crimes that migrants are exposed to in Libya at the hands of smuggling and human trafficking networks, criminal gangs, and organized crime.
It called for the intensification of international and regional efforts at the level of the Mediterranean to enhance and support maritime search and rescue operations, and to confront gangs of migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Mediterranean basin countries.
The commission renewed its call on the Libyan authorities to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, and work to eliminate human trafficking networks, smuggling of migrants, and crime gangs.
