In 2017, then Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda delivered a message to the global powers assembled at the UN Security Council: Libya had become a “marketplace for the trafficking of human beings”, and that those states with influence and resources must address the horrific atrocities being committed against migrants.
Ms Bensouda added that she was prepared to investigate crimes committed against migrants in Libya. Her announcement piqued the interest of many advocates around the world: could the ICC help to address atrocities committed against migrants in Libya and on the Mediterranean Sea?
As Libya descended into civil war in 2011 and the regime of Col Muammar Qaddafi threatened to “exterminate” those who rose in opposition to his rule, the UN Security Council referred Libya to the ICC. In response, the Court opened an investigation the situation in Libya, focusing on the alleged atrocities committed by the regime against civilians. Three arrest warrants were ultimately issued: for Qaddafi, his intelligence chief Abdullah Al Senussi and his son, Saif Al Islam Qaddafi.
Other warrants have been issued since, but no Libyan national has ever faced ICC justice. Muammar Qaddafi was killed in 2011. Al Senussi is toiling in a Libyan prison, having been convicted of crimes committed during the war. And Saif Al Islam disappeared from the public eye for a decade, only to resurface this year as a candidate in the country’s upcoming presidential elections.
The ICC has thus been left empty-handed, with no Libyan suspects surrendered to The Hague. In the meantime, Libya has experienced significant turmoil as varying factions vie for power and carve out regional spheres of influence.
The instability has been a boon to the militias and criminal networks operating in the country, including those who identified human trafficking as a lucrative business. They operate by trafficking migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to the shores of Libya. Asylum seekers are sold on the prospect of safely making the journey across the Mediterranean and into Europe. Many don’t make it. Many others are abused – tortured, raped, assaulted or arbitrarily detained – along the way.
The cost of being trafficked is exorbitant. Migrants pay thousands of dollars for the chance to reach Europe. While a flight would cost a fraction of the amount migrants pay to traffickers, European states penalise any airline carrier that allows undocumented migrants onto their aircrafts and into Europe. It is worth taking stock of the consequences of this approach: European migration-control policies drive asylum seekers into the hands of the very traffickers they widely condemn.
European policies drive asylum seekers into the hands of the very traffickers they widely condemn
For many, the injustice is untenable. A number of experts and NGOs have thus submitted filings at the ICC claiming that the abuses against migrants constitute international crimes and pleading with the Court to make good on its pledge to open an investigation.
Demands to open an investigation focus on two geographical areas – Libya and on the Mediterranean – as well as Libyan actors and authorities from the EU who are widely viewed as being complicit in abuses against migrants.
Libya is not a member state of the ICC. But it is argued that the Court retains jurisdiction in the country because of the referral of the country by the Security Council in 2011 and the purported connection between the current violence against migrants and the 2011 Libyan civil war. Should the ICC intervene, leaders of militias and networks engaged in trafficking and abuses could be targeted. So, too, could government authorities.
Numerous reports, for example, show that the Libyan Coast Guard is responsible for capturing migrants off the coast of the country, detaining them in deplorable facilities and leaving them vulnerable to traffickers.
The Coast Guard’s alleged responsibility for migrant crimes is also the connection to the responsibility of European actors for migrant abuses. For years prior to the Libyan civil war, European authorities worked with Qaddafi to stem migration flows into Europe from Libya. Italy, for example, paid billions of dollars to Qaddafi to stem migration through Libya and across the Mediterranean Sea.
The EU continues to co-operate with Libyan authorities, helping to fund the Coast Guard and equip it with the means to capture thousands of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean and return them to Libya through a controversial policy called “pushbacks”. The reason that EU authorities use the Libyan Coast Guard, as opposed to their own border control agencies, is precisely because the practice of capturing and returning migrants to Libya without processing their asylum claims is prohibited under international human rights law. The EU outsources this nasty bit of work to Libyan actors.
Should it be determined that migrant abuses are being committed on a large and systematic scale, the ICC could investigate numerous crimes – torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence, forced labour and so on – as crimes against humanity. In addition, the Court can investigate and prosecute human trafficking as an international crime. While it has generally focused on those directly involved in atrocities, the ICC can also investigate those who aid and abet or are otherwise complicit in committing international crimes.
Are EU and Libyan authorities in the ICC’s crosshairs? Despite the steady stream of requests that the Court’s Prosecutor investigate these crimes, it is far from clear that they are. During a recent speech at the Security Council, the new ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan appeared to stress co-operation between states and international bodies like the Court rather than an investigation into migrant abuses. The ICC also works with European actors to address human trafficking and it would appear, on the surface at least, unlikely that it would investigate some of those same authorities for crimes against humanity.
Just because the Court has had no success in affecting justice in Libya to date, however, does not mean it should not try to address the litany of atrocities migrants face. Over its 20-year history, the institution has often focused on crimes that resonate with global audiences: the use of children in hostilities, sexual and gender-based violence and the destruction of cultural heritage sites as a war crime. Few scourges deserve greater attention than the ongoing abuse of migrants.
The ICC will not solve this problem alone; it offers no panacea. But it has an opportunity to play a meaningful role, by expressing solidarity with migrants, changing the narrative around migration and focusing attention on the harms experienced by refugees. Above all, it might bring a degree of justice for those who wantonly abuse those taking massive risks for the hope of what many of us take for granted: a life of dignity.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
The%20specs
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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Company%20profile
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
