The Al-Jazeera Observatory for Human Rights has revealed that nearly 1,900 Sudanese people remain detained in a number of prisons and detention centers in Libya, including women and children, calling for investigations into allegations of torture, extortion, and human trafficking inside detention facilities.
The Observatory said in a statement that more than 1,200 people of various nationalities and age groups, including women and children, are detained in Qanfoodah Prison in Benghazi, noting that it had documented conditions that undermine human dignity, including shortages of food, drinking water, and medical care, the spread of infectious diseases, as well as prolonged detention without legal grounds or being brought before the competent judicial authorities.
It said between 600 and 700 people are detained in Prison 71 in Tobruk, most of whom were arrested while crossing the border or after being intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea. The Observatory noted deteriorating living conditions and inadequate health and psychological services provided to detainees.
The Observatory also said it had documented allegations of unlawful practices involving the confiscation and looting of personal belongings at the Tajoura and Bir Al-Ghanam detention centers in western Libya, including the seizure of money, mobile phones, and identity documents.
It further reported testimonies concerning Osama and Al-Assah prisons, including allegations of torture, degrading treatment, and financial extortion of detainees and their families in exchange for their release.
The Observatory called on the Libyan authorities to conduct independent criminal investigations into allegations of torture, financial extortion, looting of property, and human trafficking inside detention facilities, and to hold those responsible accountable. It also called for the release of detainees who have not committed acts punishable under the law.
The Observatory said young people constitute the largest proportion of the Sudanese detainees, who fled Sudan to escape the war and hostilities before, according to the statement, facing the risks of detention and exploitation after arriving in Libya or while crossing into the country.
Libya is home to around 590,000 Sudanese refugees who fled Sudan since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, while the Libyan authorities periodically conduct security campaigns targeting refugees and foreign migrants.
#Sudan#Nabaa_Sudan#Nabaa#