The UN has raised alarms over the critical situation of over 200,000 Sudanese refugees in Libya amid ongoing conflict in Sudan. Many refugees face severe human rights violations and challenging living conditions, leading them to contemplate dangerous migration routes to Europe. With lawful protections insufficient in Libya, the UN calls for increased support from wealthier nations to assist these vulnerable populations.
The UN has issued a warning regarding the plight of over 200,000 Sudanese refugees currently stranded in Libya due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Many of these individuals are fleeing dire conditions characterized by countless human rights violations. Their lack of support may lead them to attempt perilous journeys toward Europe, according to UN officials.
Since the onset of conflict in April 2023, approximately ten million people have been displaced, with two million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Libya has become a focal point for many, as they aspire to eventually reach Europe or Tunisia. The UNHCR reported that by January 2025, around 210,000 Sudanese were documented in Libya, often without identity papers, which leads to their immediate arrest under Libyan law.
Omar, a lawyer in southern Libya, highlighted the bleak reality as many Sudanese refugees face swift arrests and detentions. The UNHCR notes that between 400 to 500 Sudanese refugees typically seek shelter daily in Alkufra, despite Libya’s unstable political landscape and deteriorating human rights situation. Omar collaborates with the Libyan Anti-torture Network to provide legal assistance, often paying fines for releases when possible.
Refugees detained in police stations experience severe abuses, including arbitrary detentions and violent mistreatment. Reports confirm that refugees endure extortion, torture, and forced labor, particularly affecting young Sudanese who are subjected to working on farms. Meanwhile, health and humanitarian assistance in regions harboring refugees are grossly insufficient, with recent reports indicating fatalities due to starvation.
Libya, having not ratified the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, nevertheless continues to detain refugees arbitrarily. While some Sudanese in Tripoli manage to register with the UNHCR—where prospects appear slightly better—resettlement remains low. Despite an increase in Sudanese arrivals to Italy, many attempting to cross the Mediterranean are intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard and forcibly returned.
The EU has supported the Libyan Coast Guard to reduce irregular migration, but those returned often face hazardous conditions in detention, where abuses are rampant. The UNHCR continuously calls for an end to returning refugees to Libya, emphasizing the risk of violence and mistreatment upon return. The Libyan human rights organizations are active in gathering information on abuses and advocating for refugee welfare, but challenges persist.
Current situations indicate a grim evolution for Sudanese refugees in Libya, facing dangers from both state and non-state actors. New mass graves hint at the concealed losses suffered by this vulnerable population, urging for a more robust humanitarian response to help the refugees escape their dire circumstances.
The situation for Sudanese refugees in Libya is critically dire as they face numerous human rights violations and inadequate humanitarian support. With a significant number expressing the desire to reach safety in Europe, the UN emphasizes that without increased assistance from affluent nations, these vulnerable individuals may resort to dangerous journeys. The ongoing legal and physical threats they encounter highlight the urgent need for systemic change and protective measures in Libya to ensure their safety and fundamental rights.
Original Source: www.swissinfo.ch
