The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed its concerns about the mass arbitrary arrest of migrants and asylum-seekers across Libya.
On Monday, UNSMIL said in a statement that Libyan authorities “have arrested thousands of men, women, and children from the streets and their homes or following raids on alleged traffickers’ camps and warehouses.”
It added that, “many of these migrants, including pregnant women and children, are being detained in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. “
“Thousands of others, including migrants who have entered Libya legally, have been collectively expelled without screening or due process,” the statement noted.
UNISMIL confirmed that, “the campaign of arbitrary arrests and deportations has been accompanied by a disturbing rise in hate speech and racist discourse against foreigners online, and in the media.”
The UN mission called on Libyan authorities to “halt these actions and treat migrants with dignity and humanity in line with their international obligations.”
“Libyan authorities must grant UN agencies and INGO’s unimpeded access to detainees in need of urgent protection,” the statement concluded.
On Saturday, the Italian Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary, Nicola Molteni stated that Libya is not a safe country for the return of migrants, according to the Italian AKI news agency.
Molteni, a prominent member of the ‘Lega’ political party, explained during a TV interview, “Libya is not a safe country for migrants; however, it’s essential to have safe ports for repatriation.”
The issue of illegal migration was at the forefront of conversations between the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni and the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba during his visit to Rome.
Further expanding on the matter, the Italian official said, “When I think of a safe country beyond the European Union boundaries, and subsequently, a third safe country where fundamental human rights are observed, it’s clear that Libya is not on my mind.”
She added, “Libya is not a safe country, yet it’s possible to find secure ports where repatriation processes can be conducted, or where centers can be set up for processing asylum applications.”
During her meeting with Libya’s PM, Meloni said that “political stability in Libya is a priority for Italy’s national security.”
The PM added that Libya “remains a strategic economic partner for Italy.” She also stressed how important it is “to hold Libyan Presidential and Parliamentary elections as soon as possible,” and added that “Italy will continue to work to guarantee the success of the United Nations mediation.
Meanwhile, Dbaiba stressed the need to take actual steps to facilitate the granting of visas to Libyan citizens. He noted the importance of bilateral relations and supporting and developing them in all fields, in order to achieve the common interests of the two peoples.
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