{"id":25333,"date":"2023-06-20T12:54:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T10:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lcw.ngo\/en\/?p=25333"},"modified":"2023-06-20T12:54:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T10:54:47","slug":"21-libyan-organisations-publish-a-joint-statement-on-world-refugee-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lcw.ngo\/en\/blog\/21-libyan-organisations-publish-a-joint-statement-on-world-refugee-day\/","title":{"rendered":"21 Libyan organisations publish a joint statement on World Refugee Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On World Refugee Day[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libyan Authorities arbitrarily detain Hundreds of Refugees[2]<\/strong><\/a> and Asylum Seekers in Inhumane Conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The circumstances forced millions of people to escape their original homelands and flee in search of a safe haven to resume their lives anew, and in this perilous journey, many of them lose their lives, while many face ill-treatment, humiliation, extortion and sexual violence. June 20 marks World Refugee Day to remind us of their suffering worldwide and Libya in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This day passes by refugees in Libya as one of the most painful days. Where This year began with arbitrary arrest campaigns that were shocking in their outcomes. The security authorities in the east, west and south of the country launched arrest campaigns. These campaigns were described as violent and undisciplined. The campaigns targeted a thousand refugees and asylum seekers, as well as migrants who entered through official border crossings; even children and women were not spared from those campaigns. International organizations and agencies, including the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), condemned the campaign and called on the Libyan authorities to stop these measures and treat migrants with dignity and humanity in line with Libya\u2019s international obligations. It also called on the Libyan authorities to grant United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations unhindered access to detainees who need urgent protection[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libya has not ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees[4]<\/a>, nor its 1967 Protocol, but it has joined the African Convention governing the different aspects of refugee problems in Africa[5]<\/a>, as well as many conventions on maritime rescue and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provide for the protection of asylum seekers and provide a safe place for them and connect them with the agencies that work to provide protection for them. Despite all these obligations, the Libyan legislator remained rigid in its place, as legislations were not amended, nor were any laws enacted to be aligned with those obligations. Libya still criminalizes illegal entry across borders into Libya, including refugees and asylum seekers[6]<\/a>, and they are detained and considered all \u201cillegal\u201d migrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to estimates by the International Panel of Experts on Libya[7]<\/a>, established by Security Council Resolution 1973 of 2011, there are 24 government detention centres in Libya for detaining migrants and asylum seekers. And according to estimates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are about 4,500 people detained in Libyan detention centres controlled by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), of whom 2,500 are of concern to UNHCR. The total number of refugees and asylum seekers in Libya is 42,559 individuals, who are scattered across various areas in Libya[8]<\/a>. UNHCR is mostly unable to communicate directly with them, and many services are provided by phone or through local and international organizations that are partners of UNHCR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asylum seekers and refugees complain of the negligence of UNHCR staff in communicating with them and providing assistance to them. The Libyan authority’s practice of obstructing UNHCR\u2019s work is exacerbating the crisis of refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCR is not allowed to register asylum seekers in several areas, including eastern and southern Libya. This forces asylum seekers to travel to the capital Tripoli just for registration, which exposes them to risks on the way and harassment by outlaws, and sometimes detention because they do not have identification papers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The situation of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya is always politicized on the one hand and neglected on the other hand. The UNHCR and the countries that are supposed to be the first host are accused of not being serious in creating realistic and urgent solutions to get the stranded asylum seekers out of Libya and transfer them to countries where they will be safer and protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Refugee Day is a day designated by the United Nations to remind of the rights and obligations of asylum seekers and refugees and to remind the world that the decision to seek asylum is not a choice, but a compulsion, due to compelling circumstances that require risking and requesting protection. Accordingly, the organizations signing this statement issued the following recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libyan Authorities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n