Libya: Del Re, situation in detention centers is “particularly worrying”

ROME, OCTOBER 22 – The condition faced by immigrants and refugees at the detention centers in Libya is “particularly worrying” and needs to be tackled with a pragmatic and humanitarian approach, Emanuela Del Re, Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said yesterday during a “technical” meeting at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Farnesina on the humanitarian situation in Libya. Representatives from other donor countries, United Nations agencies, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement were also present, alongside the representatives of Italian and international civil society organizations known to be active on the ground.

“We will continue to remind Libya of the international commitments it has taken regarding the respect of human rights, and will persist in calling for the closure of detention centers, starting from those closest to the war front,” said Del Re. The Deputy Foreign Minister indicated that the priority ought to be the substitution of detention centers with structures that are respectful of basic law and judicial proceedings. Achieving this will require strengthening the role to be played by the United Nations.

The event was co-organized with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, represented by the Deputy Director General Michael Kohler. Among the participants was Yacoub El Hillio, the United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Libya who separately met the Deputy Minister on  ways to enhance Italy’s collaboration with the UN on the ground.

In regards to the recent escalation of violence and the attacks directed at civil infrastructures and densely populated areas, Del Re appealed to the need of respecting human rights and protecting the civil population. She spoke with concern of the internationally displaced following recent military operations. (SB@OnuItalia)