On Thursday 11 July, the spokeswoman of the European External Action Service (EEAS) welcomed the release of the last migrants detained in the Tajura detention centre, targeted by an air attack on 2 July (see EUROPE 12288/19).
The release of more than 300 migrants from the centre “is a positive step by the Libyan authorities”, the spokeswoman said in a statement, calling for all detained migrants to be released and given all necessary assistance.
Once again, they called for an end to the system of detention of migrants and for migration to be managed in full compliance with international standards. “The EU is ready to assist the Libyan authorities in finding solutions to create safe and dignified alternatives to detention, in full respect of international humanitarian standards and human rights”, the EEAS spokeswoman said. She also urged all parties to accelerate humanitarian evacuation and resettlement from Libya to non-Member States.
And while EUNAVFORMed Sophia, the maritime operation in the Mediterranean, no longer has naval assets (see EUROPE 12223/19), the spokeswoman said the EU was firmly committed to fighting traffickers and smugglers and strengthening the capacity of the Libyan coastguard to save lives at sea.
“We reiterate the need to put in place mechanisms to ensure the safety and dignity of persons rescued by the Libyan coast guard, including by ending arbitrary detention and allowing UN agencies to carry out controls and registrations and provide direct emergency assistance and protection”, they warned.
According to them, the High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration are now in a better position to monitor the situation at landing points and have regular access to most official detention centres. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)