Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
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MOGADISHU — The capital, Mogadishu, received 174 Somali youths returning to their homeland from Libya today, in a humanitarian evacuation operation coordinated between the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The reception ceremony was attended by officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission, who affirmed that this initiative comes as a response to the harsh conditions faced by Somali citizens in transit countries, and out of concern to ensure their safe return home.
During meetings with the returnees, they recounted painful stories of a “journey through hell,” describing their subjection to blatant human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, physical and psychological torture, and forced labor under inhumane conditions.
A number of returnees indicated that they were subjected to systematic financial extortion schemes that targeted their families, with large sums of money demanded in exchange for their freedom, while living daily with fear, hunger, and insecurity in irregular detention centers.
For their part, officials issued an urgent appeal to the country’s youth to exercise caution and avoid the paths of irregular migration that swallow dreams and end lives, calling on them to explore the work and entrepreneurship opportunities available within Somali territory.
The National Commission committed to providing a package of support and social reintegration programs aimed at mitigating psychological trauma and rehabilitating the returnees, enabling them to rebuild their future and actively participate in the comprehensive national development process.
The tragedy of these young people reflects the dark side of illegal migration, and their suffering embodies a cry calling for reflection on the value of the homeland and its safety; the homeland remains the only true sanctuary, and striving to build within it is far better than wandering on unknown paths that turn ambition into ashes.
