About Us
The Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Studies: is an independent, non-profit research center that works to document and analyze the realities of migration and asylum, as well as the violations faced by migrants and refugees in Libya, from a human rights and humanitarian perspective.
The center was established in response to the urgent need for the production of accurate local knowledge on migration issues, with the aim of contributing to the development of just policies and supporting advocacy and accountability efforts.
Our vision
“The Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Studies” is an independent, non-profit research center that works on documenting and analyzing the reality of migration and asylum, and the violations experienced by migrants and refugees in Libya, from a human rights and humanitarian perspective.
The center was established in response to the urgent need to produce accurate local knowledge on migration issues, in order to contribute to the formulation of fair policies and to support advocacy and accountability efforts.
A Fairer Society
At the Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Studies, we aspire to contribute to building a society that respects the fundamental rights of every human being, regardless of their background or legal status.
We do not believe in a selective form of justice, but rather in a comprehensive justice that does not exclude marginalized and oppressed groups—especially migrants and refugees.
We view justice from a perspective that goes beyond the narrow legal framework, to include dignity, recognition, and equal opportunities.
In Libya, many migrants lack even the most basic rights and are treated as security threats rather than as individuals seeking protection or fleeing oppressive conditions.
From this standpoint, the center works to document cases of deprivation and violations, and advocates for legislative and institutional changes that first and foremost recognize the humanity of the migrant, and that seek to reshape the relationship between the state and those living on the legal and social margins.
We believe that justice begins with listening, is built through documentation, and is achieved through sustained, methodical work.
Political and social research and analysis
Amid the complexity of the migration landscape in Libya—where political, economic, and security factors intertwine—the Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Studies believes that deep knowledge is the foundation of any effective and humane intervention. For this reason, we prioritize the production of analytical studies that help to understand the contexts driving individuals to migrate, and we monitor the impact of both Libyan and international policies on the daily lives of migrants.
We do not settle for merely describing reality; rather, we seek to deconstruct it and link it to the broader political structure—including the role of local and regional actors, European deterrence policies, smuggling networks, and detention practices.
We employ a range of research tools: from quantitative and qualitative analysis, to field interviews and direct testimonies. and human rights documentation.
Our goal is to be a reliable reference for everyone working in this field: organizations, journalists, policymakers, or academics. We make our findings accessible to everyone, and we strive for this knowledge to contribute to the development of realistic and humane alternatives.
Raising awareness and social impact
At the Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Studies, we recognize that the struggle for justice is not fought solely in policy rooms or through reports, but also in the public sphere, where perceptions are shaped, and stereotypes are reproduced, and decisions are made about who is deemed worthy of solidarity and who is not.
That’s why we work on launching awareness and training campaigns targeting journalists, activists, and students, as well as local actors, with the aim of fostering a more just public discourse around migration issues. We confront stereotyping, racism, and indifference, with a rights-based discourse, human stories, and direct testimonies.
and we also participate in advocacy and lobbying campaigns, And we collaborate with international and local organizations to influence official policies, whether at the level of legislation or practice. We see public awareness as a fundamental pillar for any long-term change, and we work to strengthen human solidarity among all groups, regardless of nationality or legal status.
Our Mission
Documenting violations, Producing research and studies, Supporting human rights discourse, and raising public awareness about migration and asylum issues. We operate with professional independence, and in partnership with local and international organizations that share our values and principles.
What We Do
Research and Analysis: Preparing studies and analytical reports on Libyan and international migration policies.
Human Rights Documentation: Collecting testimonies and documenting violations against migrants in detention centers or along smuggling routes.
Advocacy: Launching media and human rights campaigns to highlight the suffering of migrants and support change.
Partnerships: Collaborating with academic and human rights organizations to build a strong and reliable knowledge base.
Who We Serve
We work in the interest of migrants and refugees in Libya, and in the interest of anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex field reality, whether they are international organizations, media institutions, or researchers and activists.
Our Team
Contributing Writers
Salma
Mohammad
