The EU-AU-UN Tripartite Taskforce called on the international community and Libyan authorities to work together to improve the plight of migrants and refugees in Libya.
According to a joint statement published by the European Commission, the Tripartite Taskforce met in Brussels. The meeting was attended by the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission, Minata Cessouma Samate, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the IOM Director-General, António Vitorino to discuss and advance the priorities of the task force.
The taskforce reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Libyan authorities’ efforts to tackle urgent needs on the ground.
They pledged to “step up their efforts to further support the developments of non-discriminatory legal and policy frameworks for migrants and refugees, based on international and African Union standards and human rights. This is to protect and save lives along the migratory routes and particularly in Libya.”
They further urged the Libyan authorities to “end the arbitrary detention of migrants and refugees, starting with women and children. As well as other individuals with specific needs or disabilities.”
The taskforce called on the international community to support the Libyan authorities to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. Notably by facilitating effective prosecution efforts, and preventing the risks of re-trafficking and disappearance.
They further called for documentation for labour migrants to be issued in the country, and to recognise documentation provided to refugees, pending the establishment of a comprehensive national migration management system.
The statement added that the taskforce supported the Libyan government’s efforts to ensure improved migration governance, and border management.
The taskforce also called for the enhanced use of Emergency Transit Mechanisms in Niger and Rwanda. It emphasised the need for the international community, including the African Union and the European Union, to offer tangible support.