How Khamis died in shipwreck off Tunisia

As part of its efforts at honouring the victims of February 7, 2024 shipwreck off Tunisia, Refugees In Libya has shared information about how another migrant Khamis died in the unfortunate incident.

“Before we delve into Khamis’s story,” Refugees In Libya said: “let’s remember that behind every deadly border is a human face, a life filled with hopes, dreams, and challenges.”

The organisation went on to ask followers to “Join us in honoring and humanising the victims of the shipwreck off the coast of Tunisia 7.2.2024 by spreading awareness.
Khamis was our own, a human right defender who together with other 4,000+ protested against the inhumane treatment in Libya.”

Digging into the deceased’s background, Refugees In Libya said: “Khamis Abdul Karim, born in 2002 in Born in Baeida locality of El Geneina, Sudan. His family fled the Darfur genocide in 2003 to Chad. Khamis had 6 siblings consisting of 3 girls and 3 boys. He had some basic education in the refugee camp of Brajan. His family had no source of income and had survived on the little aid provided to them by humanitarian agencies. He upon trying to live a humane life traveled to Libya in August 2021 and lived in Gargaresh neighbourhood west of Tripoli.

“In early October 2021, the violent of raids launched by security forces and militias affiliated with ministry of interior left no one untouched. Khamis was rounded up with more than 5,000 others and were taken to the then motor tobacco factory known as Al-Mabani. A week later while the riots broke out, khamis was able to escape and joined the protest which Refugees in Libya had stationed in front of the UNHCR headquarters in Saraj, Tripoli. Upon the sudden eviction of the peaceful protest in early January 2022, he escaped and later moved to Qarabuli where he worked in a farm.

“In September 2022, he left for Morocco. On his way to Morocco, he was intercepted by the Algerian authorities and was later deported to Niger and there he spent 18 days. He made a second attempt which was successful and in October 2022 he entered Morocco.

“In Morocco he made 3 unsuccessful attempts to cross the land border to Spain.
In August 2023, he left Morocco and arrived in Tunisia. In October 2023 he attempted to escape from Zarzis towards Europe but was later intercepted by the Tunisian National Guards.

He with many others struggled over the months for shelters and food and heavy prosecution from both the Tunisian citizens and police personnel after the racist remarks by Kais Saeid last year.

“Khamis’s fate was with the other 41 comrade with whom he drowned in his last attempt. But he shall continue to live in our memories.”