Libya: Mass expulsion of irregular
migrants
would be a violation of human rights
18 January 2008
Libya’s decision this week to expel
all irregular migrants with immediate effect could have grave consequences,
Amnesty International said today. Collective expulsions are inherently
arbitrary and those seeking refuge from persecution risk being sent back to
face torture and other serious human rights violations in such a sweeping
measure.
Libya is obliged under international
human rights law not to send anyone to a country where they would be at risk
of serious human rights violations. Collective expulsions are also prohibited
under international human rights law.
“We call on the Libyan authorities
not to implement what appears to be a rushed decision as it would violate the
rights of potentially hundreds of thousands of people, including women and
children,” said Philip Luther, Deputy Programme Director for the Middle East
and North Africa.
Libya has regularly deported refugees
and asylum-seekers in recent years and routinely expels migrants in a
collective manner, concerns highlighted by the UN Human Rights infomittee in
October 2007.
“The Libyan authorities must ensure
that no deportation is carried out in an arbitrary manner and no person in
need of international protection is expelled,” said Philip Luther.
In recent years, the government has
arrested and forcibly returned tens of thousands of foreigners who are
suspected of having entered the country in an irregular manner with no
attention paid to their potential protection needs. Many are migrant workers,
but the authorities appear to make little attempt to differentiate between
migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. In recent years Eritreans, some of whom
had fled Eritrea for fear of persecution on account of their political
beliefs, have been of particular concern.
Amnesty International is also
concerned about the treatment of those who risk being rounded up under the new
decision. There have been persistent allegations that migrants, asylum-seekers
and refugees are exposed to torture or other ill-treatment on arrest and
particularly in detention centres.
“We urge Libya to ensure that all
migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees detained in the country are protected
from torture and other ill-treatment and treated humanely,” said Philip
Luther. “They should be provided with adequate medical treatment and allowed
to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.”
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