Day: August 27, 2021

Key Figures:

212,593 Libyans currently internally displaced (IDPs)

643,123 IDP returnees

42,210 registered refugees and asylumseekers

141 monitoring visits by UNHCR to detention centres in 2021

127 refugees and asylum-seekers released from detention in 2021

6,521 vulnerable refugees and asylumseekers departed since 2017 (345 so far in 2021)

Funding:

USD 93.0 M required for 2021

USD 43.6 M received as of 24 August 2021.

Population Movements

So far in 2021, a total of 21,639 refugees and migrants have been rescued/intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG). On 26 August, a total of 39 persons (including 33 men, four women and two children) were returned to the Azzawiya Oil Refinery port (45 km west of Tripoli). On 22 August, one body was recovered and 16 were reported missing during a disembarkation operation off the coast of Zwara (120 km west of Tripoli) after a boat carrying 70 individuals was intercepted by the LCG. UNHCR and medical partner the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were present at disembarkation points to provide urgent medical assistance and Core Relief Items (CRIs).

UNHCR Response

Last week, UNHCR and partner IRC distributed CRIs to 3,838 refugees and asylumseekers in Libya. The distributions took place at different sites including the Community Day Centre (CDC) and four detention centres in Tripoli (Al-Mabani, Triq Al-Sikka, AbuSalim and Ain Zara). Persons of concern received hygiene kits, soap bars, infant nappies, clothing, quilt covers and mattresses. So far in 2021, a total of 36,846 individuals received CRIs.

On 25 August, UNHCR received the EU delegation to Libya at its Registration Office and CDC. The delegation was briefed on UNHCR’s registration activities, refugee statusdetermination and resettlement procedures, as well as other assistance including CRIs, medical aid, and cash assistance. The delegation expressed support to UNHCR’s work and pledged to continue advocating for improving the conditions of refugees and asylumseekers in the country through discussions with Libyan authorities.

Last week, a total of 111 protection needs assessments (PNAs) and 18 best interest assessments (BIAs) for minors were provided at the CDC. The nationalities of those referred for additional services following initial assessment were primarily Sudanese followed by Eritreans, Syrians, Somalis and Ethiopians. So far in 2021, UNHCR and its partners have provided 3,454 PNAs and 432 BIAs to persons of concern.

During the reporting period, UNHCR conducted outreach visits to the Gergaresh area in Tripoli that hosts a large population of refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly from Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The visit targeted four shelters hosting some 130 individuals. During the visits, UNHCR provided information on its activities and identified persons with specific protection needs.

There are currently 42,210 refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Libya. The population comprises 45 per cent men, 20 per cent women and 35 per cent children. The highest nationalities registered are Sudanese (38 per cent), Syrians (34 per cent) and Eritreans (11 per cent). Among the top vulnerabilities of those registered are persons with specific legal and protection needs (46 per cent), serious medical conditions (9 per cent) and at-risk children (9 per cent).

Source: Relief web

GENEVA The Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya concluded on Thursday 26 August a 4-day visit to Tripoli during which they had high-level talks with Libyan governmental and judicial authorities regarding the situation of human rights in Libya. They also provided the Libyan authorities with an update about their work ahead of the submission of a report to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2021.

The Fact-Finding Mission was established by the Human Rights Council in June 2020 with a mandate to investigate alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in Libya since 2016. The Members of the Fact-Finding Mission are Mohamed Aujjar, Chair, alongside Chaloka Beyani and Tracy Robinson. Due to the liquidity crisis related to the United Nations regular budget, the Secretariat supporting the work of the Mission only became fully operational in June 2021.

While in Tripoli, the Fact-Finding Mission met with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Justice, as well as with the Minister of State for Displaced Persons’ Affairs and Human Rights. They also had meetings with the Director-General of Defence, the Military Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department for Combating Illegal Immigration (DCIM). The Fact-Finding Mission also met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya and other UN entities. Their visit followed an investigative mission conducted earlier in July 2021.

“The main goal of our visit was to strengthen our cooperation with the Libyan authorities in the fulfilment of our mandate”, said Mohamed Aujjar. “The Human Rights Council urged the Libyan authorities to extend full cooperation to the Fact-Finding Mission and we are pleased that the Libyan authorities showed commitment to continue to cooperate with the Mission and assist our work.”

Despite the challenges it has faced, including the limited time at its disposal and the travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fact-Finding Mission has been able to gather a significant amount of information. “We are in a position to reach a number of important findings, which we will present to the Human Rights Council in October. However, a full determination of the violations and abuses committed in Libya since 2016 requires significantly more time”, said Tracy Robinson. “We hope that the Human Rights Council will consider renewing our mandate and we welcome the support of the Libyan authorities in this regard”, added Chaloka Beyani.

“Nevertheless, many witnesses have declined to engage with the Fact-Finding Mission on account of fears for their safety. We called on the Libyan authorities to ensure that any individual is free, and feels free, to approach the Mission”, said Aujaar.

The visit of the Fact-Finding Mission coincided with the recent installation of the Government of National Unity, which has opened a phase of national dialogue. ”Accountability for past and ongoing human rights violations, and addressing prevailing impunity, must be part of the process of achieving peace and stability”, the Members of the Fact-Finding Mission concluded.

ENDS

The Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya was established by the Human Rights Council through resolution 43/39 of 22 June 2020, which requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to “immediately establish and dispatch a fact-finding mission to Libya, and to designate experts to implement, in an independent and impartial manner, for a period of one year.

Source: Relief web