Amnesty Moves To Stop Selling, Detention Of Libyan Refugees, Migrants

Amnesty International [AI] has embarked on moves to stop the selling and detention of refugees/migrants militant groups in Libya.

To that end, AI launched a campaign asking people to sign a petition to the Prime Minister, Fayez Al-Sarraj and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.

The petition, meant to be sent in the name of the writer, reads:

Dear Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the shocking reports of abuses of migrants and refugees in Libya.

There more than 5,000 migrants and refugees currently detained in Libya in official detention centers run by militias and armed groups loosely affiliated to the Government.

These militias are holding these migrants and refugees in horrific conditions, without access to food, water or medication.

They constantly commit the most appalling abuses, including torture, extortion, bounded labour and sexual abuses.

I’m deeply worried that by training, equipping and supporting the Libyan coastguard, Europe is trapping migrants and refugees in Libya and fuelling these abuses.

Confining people in cruelty cannot be a solution, therefore I urge you to:

• Release all migrants and refugees from detention centers and end the arbitrary detention of refugees and migrants in Libya
• Investigate all allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of refugees and migrants in Libya, and ensure that the suspected perpetrators are prosecuted in a transparent and fair trial to put an end to the vicious cycle of abuse.
• Review how they cooperate on migration policies, to prioritise protecting the human rights of refugees and migrants, instead of trapping people in Libya
• Formally recognize the UNHCR and allow the organization to carry out its full mandate including the protection of asylum seekers and refugees.

Yours sincerely,

The Writer

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On its website, Amnesty International elaborated on the urgent need for the world to rise in defence of refugees/migrants in Libya as well as appropriate action that could be taken.

The article titled “Urgent: Stop The Selling And Detention Of Refugees And Migrants In Libya”, reads:

“Torture, detention, exploitation and rape are daily horrors for many refugees and migrants in Libya. But instead of ending these abuses, Europe is helping Libya to trap people in hell.

“By training and providing the Libyan coastguard with ships to transport migrants back to the country, European leaders are contributing to unspeakable suffering.

“More than 10,000 migrants and refugees and asylum seekers, including 2,000 children, are being held in detention centres with no sense of when or if they will ever be released.

“The conditions are utterly inhumane – with little access to food, water or medical care. They face brutal treatment; torture, rape – and even being sold.”

AI, therefore, crucially calls on Libyan and European leaders to protect migrants and refugees from horrific human rights abuses in Libya.

Why is this urgent? Amnesty International answers:

“More than 10,000 migrants and refugees, including 2,000 children, are stuck in Libya, and are now at the mercy of militias and armed groups.

“They are suffering horrific human rights abuses,” says AI.

Participants can send an email to Libyan and European leaders and urge them to work together to halt the menace.

To take action, visit the Amnesty International website and fill the necessary details.