The numbers of people held in detention centers in Tripoli, Libya, has tripled in the last five days, after at least 5,000 migrants and refugees were detained during violent mass arrests across the city since October 1, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said.
MSF provides medical care in three detention centers in Tripoli and witnessed many of those detained being held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without access to sufficient food, water, shelter, or medical care.
MSF called on the Libyan authorities on Wednesday to stop the indiscriminate mass arrests of vulnerable migrants and refugees, and to release all people unlawfully held in detention centers.
Many of those captured reported experiencing severe physical violence, including sexual violence, during the raids on their homes. One young migrant was killed and at least five others sustained gunshot wounds, according to the United Nations.
“Armed and masked security men raided our house where I was living with three other people,” said Abdo whose name was changed to protect anonymity. “They tied our hands behind our backs and dragged us out of the house. We were pleading for them to give us time to collect our belongings and important papers, but they wouldn’t listen. We were beaten in the process. Some people were beaten on their legs and suffered fractures.
“They hit me on the head with the butt of a gun and I suffered serious injuries—the doctor had to stitch the wound and wrap it with 10 different dressings. The masked men led us all into vehicles, then we found ourselves in Ghout Sha’al detention center [also known as Al-Mabani].
"I was there for four days and experienced a very difficult time, seeing helpless people being beaten with weapons. On the fourth day, I managed to escape. I am free now.”
MSF’s operations manager for Libya Ellen van der Velden said that instead of increasing the number of people held in detention centers, the authorities should make efforts to end arbitrary detention and close the dangerous facilities.
“Migrants and refugees are living in danger and are trapped in Libya with very limited options for a way out as humanitarian flights have been unjustifiably suspended for the second time this year.”
