TRIPOLI, Libya — A delegation from Somalia’s National Human Rights Commission has concluded a visit to Libya, where it joined regional officials, judges, legal experts and human rights representatives to discuss justice reform, migration and the protection of vulnerable migrants.
The delegation, led by Acting Chairman Mohamed Harun Mahmoud, attended the conference in Benghazi from July 28 to 31, participating in discussions on judicial cooperation, prison conditions, human rights protections and efforts to combat irregular migration.
During the meeting, Somali officials highlighted the human cost of irregular migration, describing its impact on young Somalis who attempt dangerous journeys through Libya and on the families they leave behind. They called for stronger regional cooperation to protect migrants and expand legal pathways for assistance.
According to the commission, Libyan institutions hosting the conference pledged to work more closely with Somalia’s National Human Rights Commission and the federal government to assist Somali nationals facing hardship in Libya and to strengthen coordination on migration-related issues.
Libya remains a major transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. Thousands of Somalis have undertaken the journey in recent years, with many facing exploitation, arbitrary detention, trafficking and abuse by armed groups and criminal networks, according to international organizations. The meeting reflects growing efforts by Somalia and regional partners to improve protection for migrants while addressing the underlying drivers of irregular migration.
