Statements

Authored and led by survivors, the Cotonou Manifesto for Freedom of Movement confronts the global border regime that turns human mobility into a crime. Emerging from the Migration Village at the World Social Forum in Cotonou, it calls for an end to border externalisation, detention and deportation, demands accountability for violence against people on the move, and defends freedom of movement as a fundamental right for all.

Three Years On, the EU-Tunisia Deal Continues to Fuel Human Rights Violations Joint Statement by 46 human rights and humanitarian organizations Three years since the signature of the European Union (EU)-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the agreement has not only failed to guarantee respect for refugees and migrants’ rights, it has fuelled and normalized serious human rights violations and undermined the EU’s leverage to address the deteriorating human rights environ

Judges of Pre-Trial Chamber I during the initial appearance of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri on 3 December 2025 ©ICC-CPI 11.05.2026 The confirmation of charges hearing marks a crucial step towards justice. We, the undersigned organizations, stand in solidarity with survivors and victims of international crimes in Libya and remain committed to supporting their pursuit of justice. After over a decade of impunity, the confirmation of charges hearing for Khaled Mohamed Ali El His

Tunisian police terrorising migrants and refugees in the Olive groves of Sfax 10.7.2025 Joint Statement | 10 February 2026 Ahead of the vote in the European Parliament on 10 February, we, the undersigned organisations, urge the Members of the European Parliament to reject the proposed EU-wide list of so-called ‘safe countries of origin’. This list is an instrument to deny access to protection and to legitimize violence and persecution in these countries. One cannot make a cou

David Yambio holding a banner in front of the ICC headquarters- The Hague, Netherlands. 3 Dec 2025 THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, 3 DECEMBER 2025 We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the 1 December 2025 surrender of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, also known as “Al-Buti,” by German authorities to the International Criminal Court (ICC). His transfer marks the first time a suspect of international crimes committed in Libya has been brought before the Court since the

PRESS RELEASE The Hague, Netherlands, 3 DECEMBER 2025 On 1 December 2025, German authorities surrendered Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, also known as “Al-Booti,” to the International Criminal Court (ICC). His transfer marks the first time a wanted suspect has been brought before the Court since the investigation in the Libya Situation was opened in 2011. This is an important step toward justice for victims of grave crimes committed across Libya. “In times of attacks against t

States must ensure prompt surrender of suspects and full cooperation with the ICC’s Libya investigation     We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the recent arrest of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, known as “Al-Buti,” by German authorities at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on 16 July 2025 on the basis of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. His arrest marks a significant step forward in long-stalled efforts to achieve accountability for gra

The recent discovery of dozens of bodies, believed to be people migrating, in mass graves in Jakharrah and the Alkufra desert in Libya is shocking and horrific. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and with all those who have loved ones missing in similar circumstances, whose situation is often worsened by a lack of access to procedures for reporting, identifying and accessing information about missing people. In Libya the torture and killing of migrants in de

January 30, 2025 For the full press review click here:

The release and return to Tripoli of Almasri, a human trafficker and war criminal leaves us astonished, incredulous. Almasri's return to Tripoli An incredible and dangerous thing has happened The release and return to Tripoli of one of Libya's most ferocious criminals, a human trafficker and war criminal on whom an international arrest warrant has been hanging for some time, leaves us astonished, incredulous. Some of us (Refugees in Libya) have suffered torture in the Mitiga