Humanitarian organisation Sea-Watch International has alleged that more than 230 migrants were intercepted and forcibly returned to Libya over a 48-hour period during the weekend, describing the incidents as evidence of the European Union’s migration management strategy.

In a post published on X, the organisation said at least seven boats carrying migrants were intercepted by Libyan forces. According to Sea-Watch, four of the boats were intercepted off Sirte, while three others were stopped near Tobruk.

The group said those returned were taken back to detention facilities in Libya, where they face violence, abuse and extortion.

“More than 230 people. At least seven boats. Forty-eight hours. That’s how many were dragged back to Libya this weekend alone,” Sea-Watch wrote, adding that the returns reflect what it called “EU-funded migration management.”

The organisation further alleged that the European Union is expanding its cooperation with Libyan authorities by increasing support for forces operating in eastern Libya, including groups it described as warlords, beyond its traditional partners in the country’s west.

Sea-Watch claimed the expanded cooperation would lead to more interceptions at sea and more migrants being returned to what it described as a system of abuse that Europe continues to support.

The organisation also expressed concern over the rising number of deaths along the eastern Mediterranean migration route between Libya and the Greek island of Crete.

According to Sea-Watch, documented deaths on the route have increased by 167 per cent compared with the same period last year, with at least 165 deaths recorded in the first six months of the year. It warned that the actual death toll is likely to be significantly higher because many incidents go unrecorded.

Sea-Watch attributed the increase in fatalities to the absence of state-led search and rescue operations in the eastern Mediterranean, accusing European authorities of leaving another migration route without adequate rescue capacity.

The European Union has consistently maintained that its cooperation with Libyan authorities is aimed at combating human trafficking, preventing irregular migration and strengthening border management while supporting humanitarian assistance for migrants. However, rights groups have repeatedly criticised the policy, arguing that migrants intercepted at sea are returned to conditions that expose them to arbitrary detention, abuse and exploitation in Libya.

 As humanitarian organizations increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare for crises and deliver aid more effectively, a key contribution from the Government of Luxembourg will help the International Organization for Migration (IOM) advance the responsible use of AI, enabling better-informed decisions for crisis-affected populations. 

Announced today at a ceremony hosted by IOM and Luxembourg’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, the contribution will support the Catalyzing Responsible Use of AI in Humanitarian Action initiative, helping advance the safe, ethical and effective use of AI across the humanitarian sector and accelerating progress on global commitments related to AI under the Humanitarian Reset. 

“AI has the potential to transform humanitarian action, helping us anticipate crises, strengthen decision-making, and reach people faster,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations. “But innovation must never come at the expense of humanitarian principles. Responsible AI requires clear standards, strong oversight, and a steadfast commitment to safeguard the rights and dignity of the people we serve.” 

As humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, organizations are looking to AI to improve how they anticipate, prepare for and respond to crises. Used responsibly, AI can strengthen early warning systems, improve operational planning, and help humanitarian actors reach more people with limited resources. 

As AI becomes more widely integrated into humanitarian operations, ensuring its responsible use is essential. Without appropriate safeguards, AI systems can pose significant risks, ranging from cybersecurity threats and algorithmic bias to privacy concerns and potential compromises to humanitarian principles. 

As a central element of this project, IOM and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are convening a time-bound Task Force on AI under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. The Task Force, which brings together UN agencies, NGOs, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is developing a system-wide operational framework to help humanitarian organizations use AI responsibly. 

The initiative will also develop practical AI solutions to strengthen humanitarian operations. These include improving early warning systems and advanced analytics to forecast different shocks, so organizations can better anticipate and act ahead of crises. 

The project will further promote greater data interoperability, enabling humanitarian organizations to share, combine, and analyze information more effectively. Better data sharing will strengthen coordination, improve operational decision-making and help organizations learn from one another’s experiences. 

The strategic partnership between Luxembourg and IOM also includes collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the University of Luxembourg Institute for Digital Ethics (ULIDE), and partners across the humanitarian system working towards shared objectives for responsible AI. 

Luxembourg’s critical investment reflects the country’s leadership in digital innovation, responsible technology and multilateral cooperation. Beyond supporting AI-driven humanitarian solutions, the partnership will contribute to the broader digital transformation of the humanitarian sector.

The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) has commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for approving a ₦1 million support package for each of the 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa, the organisation described the governor’s intervention as “governance with a human face” and praised his leadership on migration, reintegration, security and human dignity.

IYAMIDR recalled that on May 4, 2026, it had urged the Federal Government and state governments to prepare for the return of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa by establishing structured reintegration programmes to support them.

The organisation said it was encouraged that the Edo State Government had translated those recommendations into action.

According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo, while receiving the returnees at the Government House in Benin City, announced a ₦1 million grant for each returnee to assist with accommodation and also pledged soft loans to enable them to establish businesses and rebuild their livelihoods.

The group noted that the returnees recounted losing their husbands, businesses, vehicles and other valuables during the attacks but expressed appreciation for the governor’s intervention. It added that the governor assured them that Edo State remained a safe place to live and encouraged them to view their return as a fresh beginning.

IYAMIDR praised the financial support, the proposed livelihood assistance and the public reception accorded the returnees, saying the measures restored their dignity and reinforced their sense of belonging.

The organisation also commended the governor’s efforts to tackle cultism and kidnapping in Edo State, describing his approach as one attracting national and international attention.

It urged the Federal Government and other state governors to emulate Edo State by establishing reintegration desks, providing immediate housing and livelihood support for returnees, and partnering with relevant agencies and civil society organisations to coordinate reintegration programmes.

IYAMIDR reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Edo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders to provide migration awareness, counselling and reintegration support for returnees.