127 Ghanaian illegal migrants brought home from Libya: UN migration agency

ACCRA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has brought back home here 127 Ghanaian illegal migrants from the volatile situation in Libya.

The aircraft carrying these migrants touched down around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday local time, said Kojo Wilmot, a national officer of IOM.

Wilmot told Xinhua, early Thursday that there was one female and two minors among the rescued migrants.

"We promote orderly migration, but these people were caught up in a volatile situation and were being held under various forms of inhumane treatment. We therefore intervened to protect their human rights and return them home in a dignified and safe manner," Wilmot explained.

Majority of the returnees, the official said, were not from Accra, Ghana's capital, but from Takoradi, 218 km west of the capital, Kumasi, 280 km north of the capital, Sunyani, 400 km north of the capital and other areas across the country.

The IOM therefore provided them with a means of transportation back to their final destinations and would be supporting their re-integration into their communities.

"Due to the inhumane conditions they were being kept, most of them would need psychosocial counseling and we would also work together with government of Ghana and the European Union mission in Ghana to support them with basic livelihood to help enhance their integration process," he added.

Wilmot explained that since these immigrants were mostly undocumented who used illegal means to enter Libya and they were forced to do menial jobs, mostly "Malaga" (plastering buildings) but were usually handed over to the police when they pursue those who hired them for payment.

"One Ghanaian who had painted a complete house went to the owner to receive payment, but instead the owner called the police who came to arrest him. While trying to escape from the police, the Ghanaian was knocked down by a vehicle," the official said.

He added that there is also sexual violence against the female migrants being held in Libyan detention camps, where they were captured and being kept.

IOM has identified three more detention camps across Libya with at least 266 Ghanaians among the detainees.

"We will work with all stakeholders to ensure safe and humane return of these Ghanaians and other sub-Saharan African migrants in these conditions. Considering the conditions in Libya, most of them come to us voluntarily seeking help to return home.

"The situation is dire and we invite all stakeholders to get their hands on deck to help in bringing back these migrants to their final destinations," he indicated. Enditem