Lam Magok

As a community advocate, Lam Magok has journeyed from South Sudan, enduring harrowing experiences and dedicating himself to amplifying the voices of migrants and refugees. Originally a medical student, Lam had completed his secondary schooling and begun studying medicine at Juba University before the escalating conflict in South Sudan forced him to leave in 2017. After a brief stay in Egypt, he traveled to Libya, where he encountered significant challenges, including being kidnapped and detained on a small desert farm near Shuwerif when he could not pay a $6,000 ransom. Lam endured 14 days of torture before finally escaping three months later.

Lam’s journey brought him to Tripoli, where he attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, only to be apprehended multiple times. He spent his last imprisonment in Libya’s notorious Al-Jadida prison and Mitiga airbase. Despite these experiences, he began to actively report on the conditions faced by migrants in detention.

In 2019, while detained in Tajoura, Lam used a smartphone to communicate with journalists, including Sarita, Anna, Sara Creta, and Sally Haden. His efforts brought attention to the dire situation of migrants, sharing updates, photos, and even live sounds of bombings during the conflict in Tripoli. Following the tragic Tajoura bombing that killed dozens, he was moved to the Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF), managed by the UNHCR. Despite being a UN facility, Lam found GDF conditions restrictive, with limited food, high fences, and harsh repercussions for anyone attempting to leave. Police oversight meant that anyone caught trying to exit was sent to the Tariq El Sekka detention center. Lam also witnessed and documented abuses, including soldiers forcing detained migrants to load and organize weapons and use them in construction work.

Lam’s advocacy continued with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), where he raised concerns about refugee rights violations with staff who visited detention centers. In 2021, he joined a 100-day self-organized protest in Libya, which led to the founding of Refugees in Libya, an association advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees.

Now living in Italy, Lam remains committed to supporting the migrant and refugee community, using his experiences to bring awareness to the struggles they face and working tirelessly to promote their rights and dignity.