The African Union Commission is following with great concern the news media reports about the developments in Libya regarding African migrants. According to the media, more than 4000 migrants have been arbitrarily arrested and detained, including women and children, and the death of one person.

Libya was one of the pioneering countries in the ratification of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. In addition, it has ratified the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa (1969 OAU Refugees Convention), as well as, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

While the African Union Commission understands the challenges faced by the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) in managing irregular migration, and combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, and tackling organised crime, the Commission would like to call upon the Libyan authorities to ensure the human rights of all African citizens are guaranteed and protection and assistance offered to those in need, especially vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

The African Union Commission reiterates its commitment to supporting the Libyan Government in finding durable solutions to the humanitarian situation in Libya. The African Union in collaboration with its United Nations and European Union partners under the AU-UN-EU Tripartite Task Force for Libya has assisted over 50,000 migrants in Libya to return back to their countries of origin, and the evacuation of nearly 4,000 asylum seekers and migrants under the Emergency Transit Mechanism in Rwanda.