An EU-Libya deal under which migrants desperate to reach Europe are turned back and held in “hellish” conditions must be ended, Amnesty International said on Monday, the pact’s fifth anniversary. Instead, rescue efforts must ensure people are taken to a place of safety,” one of its migration and asylum researchers, Matteo de Bellis, said. The European Commission argues that the Libyan coast guards “contribute to saving lives” and are meant to operate only in Libyan territorial waters. Brussels says it has sent “very firm messages” to Libya that it should close its migrant detention centres. A presidential election meant to have taken place in December 24 followed by legislative polls has been postponed.

Source: Libya Today February 01, 2022 01:53 UTC