David Yambio, head of the Refugee Association in Libya and human rights activist, stated in an emotional statement that he was subjected to horrific abuses during his journey as a refugee. He called for the accountability of those responsible for these crimes, particularly the man known as “Osama Najim,” nicknamed “the Egyptian,” whom he accused of committing atrocities against refugees and migrants.
Yambio, who fled Sudan as a child soldier to Libya in search of safety, described how his journey turned into a series of disasters. He said, “In Libya, I faced what I never imagined: torture, enslavement, and humiliation of my human dignity. I tried to escape by sea five times, but the Libyan coast guard – supported by Europe – forcibly returned me to the same hell.”
He added that during one of the forced return operations, he was detained in a detention center and sold as a “slave” to “the Egyptian,” who forced him to work in construction sites and even in battlefields, where he carried ammunition under threat. He also revealed that he was personally tortured by the accused, stressing, “The types of torture I was subjected to are beyond description.”
The suffering did not stop upon his arrival in Europe, where he was surprised to find his tormentor moving freely in Italy, the country he had sought refuge in. He expressed shock at how “the Egyptian” was smuggled from Italy to Libya despite an international arrest warrant against him, saying, “This criminal continues to commit his crimes against the vulnerable with impunity.”
Yambio made an urgent appeal to the international community and the International Criminal Court, demanding:
* The trial of “the Egyptian” and all those involved in violations of refugee rights.
* The accountability of the Libyan coast guard and illegal immigration control agencies.
* The recognition of migrants who have survived conflicts as “refugees” and their inclusion in dialogues on their rights.
* The provision of international protection for witnesses and victims, both in Europe and Libya.
He concluded his statement by emphasizing his determination to continue his struggle: “My wounds are still open, but our voice has begun to be heard. Justice is not an option, but a necessity to restore lost dignity.”
