The Committee for Justice (CFJ) condemned the arbitrary measures announced by the “Internal Security Agency” affiliated with the Libyan government during a press conference held in Tripoli on April 2, 2024. During the conference, it was announced that the activities of several international human rights and humanitarian organizations operating in Libya were suspended, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), without any prior judicial procedures.
The security agency justified these measures by invoking national security concerns and the need to confront what it described as a “resettlement campaign.” It accused these organizations of seeking to resettle African migrants in Libya, describing this as a hostile act that threatens the country’s demographic composition. However, these claims contradict the humanitarian nature of the work carried out by these organizations, which operate legally and with proper licensing under the supervision of the Libyan authorities.
The decision included international humanitarian organizations officially registered with the Civil Society Commission and operating under the supervision and approval of the Libyan authorities. These include: Relief International, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Medical Corps, the Danish Refugee Council, Médecins Sans Frontières (France), CARE International (Germany), INTERSOS (Italy), ACTED, and CESVI.
The matter did not stop at suspending activities; it was accompanied by a series of serious violations against the staff of these organizations. At least 18 employees were subjected to interrogation and intimidation, passports of some were confiscated, and they were forced to sign pledges not to work with any international organization in the future. Additionally, the headquarters of these organizations were closed arbitrarily without any court order, in blatant violation of constitutional guarantees and both local and international laws.
It is worth noting that these actions constitute a clear violation of Libya’s international obligations, especially concerning the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They also contradict the Libyan Constitutional Declaration, which guarantees the freedom of humanitarian work and protects the rights of workers in this field.
In this context, the CFJ emphasizes the legal and moral responsibility of the Libyan authorities to protect civilians—including refugees and migrants—and ensure their access to essential humanitarian services. The committee calls for the immediate reversal of the suspension decision, the reopening of organizational headquarters, the release of all affected employees, the return of their passports, and the launch of an independent investigation into these violations and the prosecution of those responsible.
The CFJ warns that the continuation of such repressive policies would increase the suffering of thousands of refugees and migrants stranded in Libya and lead to further international isolation for the country. These actions also pose a threat to social stability in Libya, which is already suffering from deep political and security divisions.
In conclusion, the CFJ stresses the need for the Libyan authorities to comply with international law and respect human rights. The committee calls on the international community to take urgent action to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers and affirms that the continuation of these violations will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Libya. The CFJ expresses hope that the authorities would take tangible steps to correct this dangerous course.