17/06/2010 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Strasbourg, 17.06.2010 - John Greenway, Chairperson of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), has expressed his concern about the possible forthcoming closure of the office of the UNHCR in Libya.
“I am deeply worried to learn that UNHCR has received instructions from the Libyan Government to cease its activities and to close down its office in Libya.”
“UNHCR has a great deal of work to do in Libya to protect, assist and find durable solutions for the refugees there. In addition, UNHCR supports the Libyan Government in dealing with many of the issues involved in the mixed migration flow through Libya, including the return of boat people heading to Europe in the Mediterranean Sea.”
Libya has not signed the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and has no national asylum system in place. In the absence of a national asylum system, UNHCR has carried out registration and refugee status determination until now. UNHCR was also visiting fifteen detention facilities and was providing medical and humanitarian assistance to detainees.
“It is essential both for refugees and for the Libyan authorities that UNHCR can carry on its fundamental work in the country. I remain hopeful that a positive solution can be found to allow UNHCR to resume its work without delay,” Mr Greenway concluded.