The call from the EU-AU-UN taskforce, meeting in Brussels, urges the Libyan authorities to put an end to the “arbitrary detention” of migrants and refugees.
The European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the UN have called on the international community and the Libyan authorities for “urgent action” to meet the “pressing needs” of migrants and refugees in Libya.
The appeal was launched by the members of the EU-AU-UN Tripartite Taskforce meeting in Brussels who reaffirmed their commitment to support the efforts of the Libyan authorities to meet these needs on the ground.
The taskforce announced that it is ready to help Libya put in place practical alternatives such as community reintegration or accommodation in migrant response centers where they can benefit from psychosocial support and health assistance.
Taskforce members also urged the Libyan authorities to end the “arbitrary detention” of migrants and refugees. They called on them to issue documents to migrant workers in Libya and to recognize the documents provided to refugees.
The taskforce is committed to supporting Libya’s efforts to improve migration governance and border management, while promoting respect for human rights, refugees and migrants. It also pledged to support the intensification of voluntary humanitarian returns from Libya.
She called on the international community to support the Libyan authorities in the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, in particular by facilitating effective prosecutions and preventing the risk of disappearance.
Members of the taskforce gathered in Brussels are EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, AU Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Minata Cessouma Samate, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Director General of the International Organization for Migration, António Vitorino.
in DPA