Libya’s coastguard has rescued more than 3,000 migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in the past week, while Italy picked up another 2,000 in recent days, official and reports said on Sunday.

Refugees and migrants are dying in the Mediterranean at a quicker rate than last year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported, as rights groups raise alarm over abusive conditions in Libya – now the main country of departure.

During a debate at the European Parliament on Tuesday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that illegal immigration managed by mafias is “a new form of slavery”. EURACTIV Spain reports.

The continued detention of Libyans held prisoner long-term without trial or any other legal process was condemned at a workshop in Tunis today. Most, although not all, have been held since the 2011 revolution.

Over the last year, thousands of migrants and refugees have made the perilous journey from the shores of Libya to the Italian coast. The figures of new arrivals in 2016 were set to surpass 2017 — that is, until last month.

Libya remains one of the most complex mixed migration situations in the world, with refugees traveling alongside migrants through perilous routes, surviving dangerous desert crossings and abuses that include sexual violence, torture, detention in inhumane conditions and abductions for ransom. All this before they even embark on the deadly Central …

The Special Deterrence Force (SDF) has arrested Sheikh Abdul-Razzaq Emshirib on Sunday night, eyewitnesses reported, adding that at least five military vehicles surrounded Emshirib’s house before snatching him from inside.

A European and African deal to stem the flow of migrants coming through Libya to Europe fails to tackle the abuses they face, the top U.N. human rights official wrote on Friday.

What migrants and refugees are living in Libya should shock the collective conscience of Europe’s citizens and elected leaders. Blinded by the single-minded goal of keeping people outside of Europe, European funding is helping to stop the boats from departing Libyan waters, but this policy is also feeding a criminal …

The Head of the Illegal Immigration Fight Center, Mohammed Besher, ordered Tuesday the shutdown of several migrants shelter centers in Tripoli, Sorman, Al-Khums, and Al-Gala.