The African Union (AU), European Union and United Nations (AU-EU-UN) task force on the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya has called for the international community and Libyan authorities to work together to improve the plight of migrants and refugees.

Development Diaries reports that Libya faces an economic collapse, political instability, and ongoing conflict between violent militias.

The North African nation is Africa’s main departure point to Europe for migrants seeking safety and opportunity.

The AU-EU-UN task force, in a statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Libyan authorities’ efforts for tackling the urgent needs on the ground.

The task force 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 task force is ready to assist the Libyan authorities to ensure practical alternatives such as release into the community or accommodation in Migrant Response Centres (MRCs), where they can receive psychosocial support and health assistance’, the statement read in part.

The taskforce agreed to support awareness raising on the dangers of the journeys along the migratory routes and to seek durable solutions for migrants and refugees.

OHCHR, in a 2022 report, revealed that there were roughly 600,000 migrants comprising more than 40 nationalities in Libya.

Migrants and refugees in Libya are vulnerable as they are mostly forced to live in the shadows with no access to the services they need.

Development Diaries calls on Libyan authorities to step up in providing more protection to migrants and refugees trapped in the country. We also call on them to end all violations and abuses of migrants’ rights.

Source: UNHCR

Photo source: OHCHR