Eritrean migrant’s head slammed on ground in video

A video showing cruel treatment of an Eritrean migrant in Libya has surfaced online.

Refugees in Libya posted the distasteful video on its X handle.  Similar videos/pictures  showing how Eritreans and Ethiopians migrants were being tortured by human traffickers in Libya had earlier been posted by Refugees In Libya.

Refugees In Libya tells the Eritrean’s story thus:

Ebrahim Darasa Ebrahim 21, was born and raised in Bori, Eritrea. Denied the opportunity to receive an education and facing the oppressive regime in his country, Ebrahim decided to flee and seek a better life. On September 10, 2023, Ebrahim left Eritrea, making his way through Ethiopia, Sudan, and eventually reaching Kufra, Libya. On October 31, 2023, Ebrahim’s family received a distressing video clip showing him being subjected to brutal torture. In the video, Ebrahim was seen with his arms and legs bound, partially naked, and enduring whippings on his back. Another individual was observed repeatedly slamming his head against the ground. Following this horrifying incident, the traffickers demanded a ransom of 8,000 American Dollars for Ebrahim’s release. The kidnappers have been regularly contacting Ebrahim’s relatives, extorting them for the ransom. They have given a two-day ultimatum to collect the demanded amount, threatening to kill Ebrahim otherwise. The traffickers have been using a Sudanese telephone number, specifically WhatsApp, to communicate with Hussein, Ebrahim’s elder brother residing in Ethiopia. The relatives have managed to collect 135,772.90 Ethiopian Birr, equivalent to approximately 2,281 Euros, thus far. In an effort to secure Ebrahim’s release, Ebrahim’s family reached out to us for assistance using the twitter handle @lahadda88

The incident of Ebrahim is a widespread practice of kidnapping and human trafficking faced by refugees and migrants during their journey through the Sub-Saharan region toward the Mediterranean coast. This issue has been a constant concern and poses tremendous risks to the safety and well-being of individuals fleeing war-torn countries like Sudan and Somalia. The Libyan authorities @Dabaibahamid, @NajlaElmangoush  have failed to effectively engage or address these and hold the perpetrators accountable. This lack of action has perpetuated an environment where human trafficking and kidnapping thrive, endangering the lives of countless refugees and migrants. Recently, similar videos depicting the torture of women and children held in Bani Walid, a notorious location for refugees in the past seven years, were received.