Help Karim survive – Support Emergency Aid for a Refugee in Libya suing Frontex

Karim (name changed for his protection) is a young asylum seeker from Darfur, Sudan, who is currently suing Frontex at the Court of Justice of the EU. Since fleeing Sudan’s war and persecution, he has been trapped in Libya—one of the most dangerous places in the world for refugees. He is currently hiding in a makeshift shelter in Tripoli, which he rarely dares to leave for fear of being detained, abused, or enslaved by militias.

Karim's only chance to protect his life is to cross the Mediterranean, but to do so he needs to be sure that he won’t be detected by Frontex, handed over to Libyan militia, pulled back to Libya and become another victim of crimes against humanity in torture camps, as has happened to hundreds of thousands of others. With support from Refugees in Libya and Front-Lex, in October 2024 Karim sued the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex in a landmark case. It exposes how Frontex routinely shares the locations of refugee boats with the Libyan coastguard, which violently intercepts and forcibly returns people to torture, sexual violence, forced labour, and arbitrary imprisonment. The aim of the case is to stop the transmission of these information, ensuring that Karim and many others in a similar situation will have a better chance of escaping Libya and making it to safety.

Recently, Karim was diagnosed with a serious illness. But getting safe and consistent medical care in Libya as a Black refugee is nearly impossible. Most clinics are inaccessible or unsafe. The few he can approach charge prices he cannot afford. Even trips to find food or medicine expose him to militia checkpoints, arbitrary detention, or worse. He is also a registered asylum seeker with the UNHCR, but this status means little in Libya—it offers no protection from violence or exploitation. His health is deteriorating, and his need for urgent medical support, food, and constant changing of safe shelters is growing by the day.

Today, Karim needs our help.

We are urgently raising €4,000 to cover:

• Emergency medical care for his illness

• Safe shelter to relocate him to a more secure location

• Daily essentials like food, clean water, and medicine

• Ongoing support so he can remain safe until he can make an attempt to flee Libya.

Karim’s case has already made history. It’s only the fourth time Frontex has been brought before the CJEU, and the first time it has been challenged for its deadly collaboration with Libyan militias. Thanks to Karim’s courage, the court will finally examine how Frontex enables and facilitates crimes against humanity in Libyan detention camps.

Let’s show Karim that he’s not alone. He has taken enormous risks to stand up against one of the EU’s most powerful institutions. Now he needs our solidarity.

Donate now. Help Karim survive and gets his day in court. Stand with him in the fight for justice.

This fundraiser is organised by Refugees in Libya and front-Lex.