Prisoners in the Sinai: latest updates

Rome / Arish, 17 November 2011. UNHCR confirms that 611 Eritrean refugees were released without ransom by the traffickers of the Northern Sinai, and are currently in Israel.

EveryOne Group has also learned of the violent death of the notorious trafficker in migrants and human organs Soliman Abdalah Necklawi known as "Sultan". The smuggler was killed, according to our information, in a firefight with some Bedouin of another tribe, who wanted to free a group of Eritrean refugees. The prisoners were freed and subsequently, according to reliable sources, would be directed toward Israel.

We also know of at least 450 Eritrean migrants who have not yet been released by the gangs. 58 of these hostages are located in Serah in the hands of the robber known as Samih, whose family is dedicated to trafficking in human beings and organs. Another group of prisoners is in a location not identified in the Northern Sinai. We have sent the mobile number of a young prisoner to the High Commissioner for Refugees and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings.

Currently there is a strong component of the Bedouin tribes who is keen to work with the authorities and NGOs to end the odious traffic in human beings and refugees in North Sinai.

In the coming days a delegation from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which upheld the complaint lodged by the network of NGOs against trafficking in human beings in the Sinai (network that includes EveryOne Group) will meet - in the course of investigations about the crimes committed by traffickers - the Egyptian human rights defender Hamdy al-Azazy  director of the New Generation Foundation for Human Rights and a close associate of EveryOne Group.

We remember the names of major traffickers that we reported to the international authorities and still active in their criminal affairs: Samih, Abu Khaled, Abu Ahmed, Abu Abdallah, Abu Moussa, Kemal, Abu Mohammed.

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