The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) is following with great attention the situation of migrants in Libya, a territory traversed by one of the deadliest migratory routes in Africa.

The Commission is deeply alarmed and saddened by the discovery, in south-west Libya, of a mass grave containing at least 65 bodies of migrants, whose nationalities, gender and circumstances of death have not yet been identified. According to information received by the Commission, the migrants died during their clandestine crossing of the Libyan desert.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved victims and condemns all violations of migrants’ rights that may lead to their disappearance, including the right to life. 

Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/RES. 486 (EXT.OS/XXXI1I) 2021 on missing migrants and refugees in Africa and the consequences for their families, and following this umpteenth tragedy, the Commission once again expresses its deep concern at the continuing disappearances of migrants in various circumstances, due in particular to the upsurge in irregular migratory flows and the use of the most precarious and perilous migratory routes. Migrants, who are often extremely vulnerable, are exposed to various abuses committed by smugglers and traffickers, such as trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling and other forms of transnational organised crime.

The Commission remains convinced that in order to improve the lot of migrants and put an end to such tragedies, it is necessary to develop regular channels for legal migration, and that migration management policies and practices should be based on respect for the human rights of all migrants.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls on the Government of the State of Libya to shed light on this tragedy by conducting a swift, impartial and effective enquiry to establish who was responsible, and to facilitate, with due respect for human dignity, the recovery of the bodies of the deceased migrants, their identification and the provision of information to their families as soon as possible.

Finally, the Commission reminds States Parties of their obligations to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of all migrants, irrespective of their origin and migratory status, and at all stages of their migratory journey, arising from the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant international and regional instruments, including the “African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers” (2023).

Hon. Commissioner Selma SASSI-SAFER

Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa
Commissioner for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Libya

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

On 21 March 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy together with the Thai Students’ Association in Cairo under the Royal Patronage hosted the First ASEAN Student Associations Meeting in Egypt at the Embassy. The meeting was attended by presidents/representatives of ASEAN Student Associations from 9 countries including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The meeting provided an opportunity for Thai students to share useful information and promote cooperation with ASEAN colleagues as well as to raise awareness about the ASEAN Community among youth. In addition, the meeting established communication channels between associations and agreed to meet every two months, with the Indonesian Student Association as the next host. Afterwards, all student representatives shared an iftar dinner together.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

On 25 March 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo hosted the Iftar dinner for Thai Muslim Students in Egypt at the Embassy.

On this occasion, Mr. Thanabordee Joothong, Chargé d’Affaires a.i commended the strict Islamic practice of all Thai Muslim students during the month of Ramadan, which is the most important month of Islam. During Ramadan, all Muslims can accumulate good deed from fasting and sharing with the poor. Mr. Joothong also expressed wishes for all students to complete their duties as they intended, and will be rewarded for their good deeds during this holy month.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

On 26 March 2024, Mr. Thanabordee Joothong, Charge d’affaires a.i., and Mr. Niwat Apichartbutra, Commercial Attaché, Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo, met with Dr. Yousrey Elsharkawi, Chairman of the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA), at the EABA Office in Cairo. Dr. Elsharkawi gave a briefing on the work of EABA and the meeting discussed about ways to promote cooperation between the two sides. On this occasion, the Charge d’affaires a.i. and Commercial Attaché also informed the Chairman about Thailand’s proactive economic diplomacy and activities undertaken such as business matching, Thai business delegation visit to Egypt, Thai products in-store promotion, and Thai Food Bazaar.

EABA was established in 2020 and is considered to be one of Africa’s leading business associations with representatives in over 19 countries across the continent, such as Egypt, Libya, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa. Moreover, EABA comprises 22 committees ranging from tourism, energy, construction and building to agriculture and food. EABA’s mission is to drive transformative change and foster innovation in Africa’s business landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.