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I'm starting a new thread about the urgent situation at Libya's Triq al Sikka detention centre. As many as 30 refugees, incl 4-6 minors, are currently believed to be in an underground cell, where they may have been tortured as punishment for protesting.
aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/r…
aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/r…
These are pictures from the protest on Tuesday. Detainees were asking for a visit from the UN Refugee Agency, who they say guards repeatedly threaten to ban, & better conditions (they're locked inside all day & night, no sunlight or fresh air, some for 1 year or more). #Libya
This is the same centre where Somali refugee Abdulaziz burnt himself to death in October, after telling friends he had lost hope of getting out. It's also where there was a TB outbreak after infected detainees were left w/o medication for more than a month aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/l…
Here's a picture of Abdulaziz. Many others who have been held in Triq al Sikka are still (understandably) very upset about his death.
He's not the only one who's died there. Figures I was given for deaths last year ranged between 8 & 20 people, + at least one more suicide attempt
He's not the only one who's died there. Figures I was given for deaths last year ranged between 8 & 20 people, + at least one more suicide attempt
The majority of those who protested on Tuesday were refugees returned to Libya, under current European policy aimed at stopping arrivals to Italy.
The boats they were travelling in were intercepted by the EU-funded Libyan coastguard, who returned them to indefinite detention.
The boats they were travelling in were intercepted by the EU-funded Libyan coastguard, who returned them to indefinite detention.
After they broke out of their cell on Tuesday, refugees say they were told UNHCR would come to see them. Here's a pic where they're waiting, peacefully (though they took all their belongings, saying they didn't want to go back inside again).
Instead, they were surrounded by c.100 guards who began to beat them brutally with metal & sticks. "There were about four who fainted when they beat them in their head with metal," a witness told me.
Witnesses say the beating happened shortly after a visit from the Dutch embassy. Many diplomats have visited Triq al Sikka in the past.
"First they made sure there was no one around, they are smart," one said.
"First they made sure there was no one around, they are smart," one said.
Witnesses then say dozens were brought to different detention centres, so it wouldn't be clear to int organisations that some were missing.
Refugees believed to have been leaders (including as many as six underage boys) were brought to a cell underground, where they remain.
Refugees believed to have been leaders (including as many as six underage boys) were brought to a cell underground, where they remain.
Triq al Sikka is really significant because it's the de facto headquarters of Libya's Department for Combatting Illegal Migration, meaning these refugees (incl children) are currently reportedly being tortured with full knowledge of the same Libyan gov the EU is working with.
Here's the full response the EU gave me when I asked them whether they knew about detainees being taken underground & tortured in Triq al Sikka dc this week, & whether it makes them question their policy of forcibly returning refugees & migrants back to Libya.
Here's the response UNHCR gave me when I asked them about the protest & reports of refugees being tortured.
While they say they still have access to Sikka, I have information from another source that UNHCR staff tried to visit today & were turned away.
While they say they still have access to Sikka, I have information from another source that UNHCR staff tried to visit today & were turned away.
Another testimony from a current detainee about what led up to Tuesday's protest in Triq al Sikka. #Libya
This detainee, commenting on the people who were taken away by guards & are believed to now be in an underground cell on the grounds of Triq al Sikka.
Human rights groups have been getting in touch to ask about this, but they all say it's almost impossible to get access. From what we do know, as many as 30 detainees, including children, still remain underground & in grave danger, while others also remain under investigation.
A response from a refugee, who was present on Tuesday, to UNHCR calling it a "riot" rather than a protest. Sources also telling me UNHCR still hasn't gained access to those in danger in Triq al Sikka.
UNHCR releases a new statement saying they're concerned about violence against detainees in Triq al Sikka, & confirming they've had no access to those injured. Meanwhile, as many as 30, incl minors, still thought to be underground & undergoing torture. unhcr.org/news/briefing/…
I have information that the detainees currently held underground may be at risk of forcible deportation to the countries they escaped (Eritrea and Ethiopia). I've asked IOM for comment & they said they'll release a statement in the next few hours.
French media picks up the story: francetvinfo.fr/monde/europe/n…
UNHCR also said around 50 people were injured by guards, two of whom were transferred to Abu Salim hospital. unhcr.org/news/briefing/…
New IOM statement: “We condemn the use of violence in detention, and ask for urgent access to individuals who have been removed from that detention centre,” said IOM Director of Operations and Emergencies, Mohammed Abikder.
iom.int/news/iom-conde…
iom.int/news/iom-conde…
German media coverage below.
The situation remains critical. I obviously can’t share all the information I have because of safety concerns, but everyone involved in the protest needs urgent protection, esp those still in Triq al Sikka.
The situation remains critical. I obviously can’t share all the information I have because of safety concerns, but everyone involved in the protest needs urgent protection, esp those still in Triq al Sikka.
Another response from IOM saying that they have access to Triq al Sikka dc, but not to those "under investigation by DCIM...
"As we do not have access yet to the migrants being investigated, we can’t confirm reports of further violence or abuse beyond the events of 26th of Feb."
"As we do not have access yet to the migrants being investigated, we can’t confirm reports of further violence or abuse beyond the events of 26th of Feb."
Photos from a journalist who was recently inside Triq al Sikka dc (before the protest). Sources say access has been hugely shut down since it.
Reuters coverage:
UN Refugee Agency update from yesterday, confirming the agency still has no access to refugees who protested: "UNHCR has raised concern with the authorities about this incident and requested access to those affected." reliefweb.int/report/libya/u…
