A newly published chapter in a book addressing human trafficking for ransom in Libya sheds light on the resilience and agency of Eritrean refugees navigating their migration journeys. This chapter emphasizes how digital tools and platforms have become vital for self-representation, allowing migrants and refugees to assert their identities and share their stories in a challenging landscape.
The full book chapter Active Agency, Access and Power: Social Media and Eritrean Refugees in Libya is available by clicking on the title
The full book Enslaved: Trapped and Trafficked in Digital Black Holes can be found here
The chapter reveals that, despite significant barriers to social participation, Eritrean refugees in Libya have created new spaces of hope where their voices can be amplified. Digital practices enable these individuals to document their experiences and engage with a broader audience, challenging traditional narratives and power dynamics.
Obstacles to digital access
However, the report also highlights the persistent obstacles faced by refugees, particularly those detained in Libyan centers. Without access to the Internet, these individuals are stripped of their ability to expose human rights violations and share their plight. Authorities and militias often restrict access to smartphones, further silencing their voices and preventing them from participating in public discourse.
As journalists, lawyers, and advocates struggle to access detention centers, social media emerges as a crucial platform for Eritrean refugees to document their experiences and develop political strategies. By circumventing traditional media channels, they engage in self-represented witnessing, striving to become visible in a digitally mediated world.
This chapter not only underscores the importance of digital empowerment for refugees but also calls attention to the urgent need for greater access to technology and support for those seeking safety and freedom.