The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in Libya celebrated the International Day of the African Child (16 June), with the participation of children from African communities living in Libya.
The celebration took place on Saturday, 24 June 2023, at the Higher Institute of Arts and Technologies in Zawiya Al-Dahmani in Tripoli. This was in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Mabrouka Touji Osman, the Deputy Sudanese Ambassador, the Sudanese Consul in Libya, the African community coordinator in Tripoli, the Head of the Libyan Women and Children Organisation, representatives of government ministries and civil society organisations, and a number of African communities.
The ceremony included musical performances and artistic displays that embodied African identity, and expressed the aspirations of African peoples in development, education, combating racial discrimination and oppression, and opening up real opportunities for participation based on mutual respect, shared interests, peace, and stability, according to a statement.
“The celebration was organised by the Children’s Office and Talent Care at the Ministry of Culture, as part of an ambitious plan to care for Libyan children and foster cooperation at the Arab and African levels. As well as contributing to creating a suitable environment for children to discover their talents, and push them forward,” according to the statement.
On Monday, Libyan security forces handed over family members of IS militants, to Tunisia. This included four women and nine children, and brings attention to the uncertain fate of remaining non-Libyan IS members within the country and their current incarceration status.
Mustafa Abdel-Kabir, the Head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, stated that “no fewer than ten Tunisian women wedded to IS militants, are presently incarcerated in Mitiga Prison, Tripoli, following rulings issued against them.”
Abdel-Kabir called on Tunisian authorities to “liaise and coordinate with Libyan officials, advocating for the imprisoned Tunisian women to serve out the remainder of their sentences in Tunisia, under the combined oversight of both countries.”
