"Illegal Migration: Causes and Motivations... and Its Implications for the Libyan State" A Field Study on a Sample of Migrants

Abstract

This study seeks to identify the social characteristics of illegal migrants, explore the reasons and motivations for illegal migration, and understand its consequences and impact, particularly the risks it poses to Libyan society, including the crime of human trafficking within Libyan territory. The study aims to propose solutions and recommendations to reduce this phenomenon. The comprehensive survey method was adopted for this study, with its sample consisting of illegal migrants at the detention centers in Al-Wahat ("Ajkhrah" and Kufrah) cities, totaling 160 migrants. The study reached the following conclusions: Migration represents a gamble with life and exposure to death in pursuit of a better life, stemming from the lack of life necessities in their homelands and their desire for self-fulfillment. Factors like insecurity, instability, political conflicts, lack of job opportunities, and unemployment in their home countries drive migration. Impacts of migration include abuse experienced by migrants at their detention sites by smuggling networks, evidence of torture among migrants, and in some cases, execution, as indicated by the discovery of graves following raids on smuggling locations. Some migrants noted they were aware of the challenges and risks they might face during their journey but still accepted the gamble to achieve their goal. Migrants experienced severe verbal, physical, and sexual violence, with women being subjected to rape. Additionally, migrants were not subjected to any medical examinations, tests, or health certifications before entering Libya to ensure they were free of communicable diseases. Consequently, some were later found to carry diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis C. Furthermore, illegal migration has led to the spread of crimes in the studied cities, including fraud, theft, the manufacture and trade of alcohol, and prostitution.