TRIPOLI, Libya — The United Nations has renewed calls for Libya to shut down migrant detention centres amid mounting allegations of torture, abuse, and killings of detainees.
During a UN review session, countries including Britain, Spain, Norway, and Sierra Leone raised concerns over the treatment of migrants in Libya, a key transit hub for Africans fleeing poverty and conflict in search of safety in Europe.
Allegations of Abuse
Rights groups say migrants have been held in warehouses by traffickers, subjected to violence and extortion. A Dutch court case recently exposed grim details of abuse, while a UN agency reported that bodies found in mass graves bore gunshot wounds.
Norway’s ambassador urged Libya to end arbitrary detentions, while Britain called for UN investigators to be granted unrestricted access to detention facilities.
Government Response
Libya’s acting foreign minister, Eltaher Salem Elbaour, acknowledged the country’s challenges but said the UN-backed government in Tripoli is working to ensure human rights are respected during the fragile transition. He cited cooperation with the International Criminal Court and the creation of a new joint committee to oversee detention centres.
Human Rights Review
Libya’s human rights record is currently under review as part of a UN process that scrutinizes all 193 member states. The United States notably skipped the session last week, drawing attention to the broader international debate on accountability.