Libyan Party Calls for International Protection of Unaccompanied Migrant Children

The Libyan Voice of the People Party has issued an urgent appeal to international authorities to take immediate action to protect unaccompanied migrant children in Libya and to find permanent solutions for their relocation outside the country.

This call comes amid a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, with hundreds of migrants, including children and pregnant women, being abandoned in the Libyan desert by Tunisian security forces. Libyan border guards have been rescuing these migrants, who are often found exhausted, dehydrated, and in dire need of medical attention.

Why this matters: The safety and well-being of unaccompanied migrant children in Libya is a pressing humanitarian issue that requires immediate international attention. If left unaddressed, this crisis could lead to further human suffering, increased instability in the region, and a deterioration of global human rights standards.

Over the past two weeks, Libyan border guards have rescued hundreds of migrants near Al Assah, approximately 150 kilometers west of Tripoli. These migrants reported being left in the border region by Tunisian authorities. The United Nations has described the situation as an 'unfolding tragedy' and has called for urgent humanitarian assistance and humane solutions.

The crisis escalated in early July when racial tensions in the Tunisian port city of Sfax led to the expulsion of hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries. Human Rights Watch reported that up to 1,200 black Africans were expelled or forcibly transferred by Tunisian security forces to desert regions bordering Libya and Algeria.

"I was at work when they caught me and brought me here, first in a police car, then in a security forces truck. Then they left me and told me to go to Libya," said Haitham Yahiya, a Sudanese migrant. Another migrant, Ali Wali, a spokesman for Battalion 19, questioned the survival chances of those abandoned: "How do you expect them to survive? The heat, no water, and a march of two, three days?"

The Libyan government has rejected the resettlement of migrants arriving from Tunisia on its territory. This stance has left many migrants, including vulnerable children, in a precarious situation. The United Nations estimates that over 600,000 migrants are detained in Libya, most of them in camps. Humanitarian groups in Libya report that at least 17 migrants have died in the past three weeks.

The Tunisian Red Crescent has provided shelter to at least 630 migrants who were taken to the Ras Jedir buffer zone, about 40 kilometers north of Al Assah. However, hundreds remain stuck in makeshift camps with no access to basic necessities like toilets, water tanks, or real shelters. The situation is dire, with 350 people, including 65 children and 12 pregnant women, still in need of urgent assistance.

The Libyan Voice of the People Party's call for international intervention highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to protect unaccompanied migrant children and to find lasting solutions for their safety and well-being. The party's appeal highlights the broader humanitarian crisis affecting migrants in the region and the critical role of international cooperation in addressing these challenges.

The ongoing efforts by Libyan border guards and humanitarian organizations to rescue and assist migrants are vital, but the scale of the crisis demands a more comprehensive and sustainable approach. The international community must act swiftly to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure the safety and dignity of these vulnerable individuals.

Key Takeaways

• Libyan Voice of the People Party appeals for international help to protect unaccompanied migrant children in Libya.
• Hundreds of migrants, including children and pregnant women, abandoned in Libyan desert by Tunisian security forces.
• Over 600,000 migrants detained in Libya, with at least 17 deaths in the past three weeks.
• Tunisian Red Crescent provides shelter to 630 migrants, but hundreds remain in makeshift camps without basic necessities.
• International community urged to act swiftly to provide resources and support for vulnerable migrants.