PUK Lawmaker Facilitates Return of 22 Stranded Youth from Libya to Kurdistan Region

AFP

Illegal migrants on boat trying to reach Europe.

A lawmaker of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in the Iraqi Parliament has successfully facilitated the return of 22 young people from the Kurdistan Region's Raparin Administration who had been stranded in Libya while attempting to reach Italy by sea.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Gharib Ahmad, the PUK lawmaker, said: “Thanks to our continuous efforts, we have managed to return more than 22 young people from the Kurdistan Region, most of whom are residents of Raparin, who were trapped in Libya.”

He explained that the individuals had been missing for around a month, and their families contacted him after losing communication with their children.

“Upon learning of their situation, we coordinated directly with the Iraqi ambassador in Libya. As a result, we located the youths and handed them over to the Libyan federal police,” Ahmad stated.

He confirmed that some of the individuals have now returned to the Kurdistan Region and reunited with their families, while the remaining few are completing legal formalities and are expected to return within days.

The families expressed their gratitude to the PUK lawmaker for his intervention and support in securing the safe return of their children.

Ahmad also addressed the broader issue of illegal migration, warning of the dangers faced by those taking this route.

“Although the sea route is extremely dangerous, the situation in Libya is also unsuitable for travel,” he said. “The Kurdistan Regional Government must develop a comprehensive solution to the growing issue of youth migration.”

In recent years, a number of young people from the Kurdistan Region have sought to reach Europe via Libya, attempting perilous journeys across the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities.

Young people are leaving the Kurdistan Region largely due to economic hardship, high unemployment, and a lack of opportunities. This trend is further fuelled by political and social instability, prompting many to seek better living conditions and a more secure future abroad.



PUKMEDIA