The United Nations called Monday for the immediate release of the most vulnerable migrants held in Libya, many of whom have been subjected to appalling human rights abuses including "extreme violence."
Libya has plunged into chaos since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with dozens of armed factions filling the power vacuum. Things are so bad that Libya now has two competing governments, and migrants by the thousands have been fleeing to Europe.
"Migrants continued to be subjected by smugglers, traffickers, members of armed groups and security forces to extreme violence," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a report, which also said migrants in Libya are subjected to torture, forced labor and rape. The report covered the period April to August.
Representatives of the small UN mission in Libya visited detention centers for unauthorized migrants in Gharyan, Tripoli, Misrata and Surman.
At these centers, the report said, thousands of migrants have been held arbitrarily for prolonged periods of time with no possibility to challenge the legality of their detention.
"The fundamental rights of migrants must be upheld at all times," Guterres said.
"I call on the Libyan authorities to immediately release the most vulnerable, in particular women at risk, pregnant women, families with children, unaccompanied or separated children and persons with disabilities," he added.
The report was released as the UN Security Council was due to meet later in the day for a meeting on Libya, and as seven African and European leaders met in Paris to talk about how to stem the flow of migrants into Europe from northern Africa in return for aid.
European countries have long sought to cut off clandestine immigration routes across the Mediterranean into the continent, especially from Libya.
In his report Guterres also said that during the period under study, all parties to the fighting in Libya committed human rights violations and violations of international law.
"Armed groups on all sides continued to take hostages, to carry out unlawful killings and to use torture and forced disappearances, including of civilians, in particular women and other persons not involved in the fighting," the report said.
Source: AFP
GMT 14:19 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Syria jihadist chief urges rebels to 'close ranks'GMT 14:40 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Erdogan vows to uproot 'terror nests'GMT 13:35 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Pope 'afraid' world is 'one accident'GMT 12:54 2018 Monday ,15 January
Palestinians exhume body of disabled Gazan killedGMT 13:16 2018 Sunday ,14 January
At least four dead in Indian chopper crashGMT 14:55 2018 Saturday ,13 January
The 2015 Iran nuclear dealGMT 12:13 2018 Friday ,12 January
Saudi-led coalition says Yemen rebels threatGMT 14:52 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Firm to receive up to $70 mn if MH370 foundMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor