Urgent questions to the Commission on the situation of refugees in Libya

Source: S.H. (Sophie) in 't Veld i, published on Wednesday, September 5 2018.

Today Sophie in 't Veld, together with a number of other MEPs, posted urgent questions to the Commission on the situation of refugees detained and stranded in Libya.

Question for written answer (Priority)

to the Commission

Rule 130

Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL) 

Subject: Situation of refugees detained and stranded in Tripoli, Libya 

Over the past week, the situation for refugees detained and stranded in Tripoli has deteriorated due to the escalating violent conflict. Some 8,000 refugees and migrants say they have been abandoned by the international community and are in urgent need of protection, food and medical care. Reports show an alarming situation whereby people have no access to food nor water, having led some to die of starvation, while others have been kidnapped by traffickers. UNHCR High commissioner has suggested on twitter that UNHCR might pull out of Libya. UNHCR issued yesterday an updated position stating that migrants rescued or intercepted at sea should not be returned to Libya. 

  • 1. 
    What actions is the Commission taking to ensure an evacuation of the refugees trapped in Tripoli to a safe place in the EU ? 
  • 2. 
    Will the Commission suspend its support to the so-called "Libyan coast guards" to ensure people intercepted at sea are not being returned to a place where their lives are in danger? 

Supporters:

1 This question is supported by Members other than the author: Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL), Ernest Urtasun (Greens/EFA), Marina Albiol Guzmán (GUE/NGL), Ana Gomes (S&D), Malin Björk (GUE/NGL), Claude Moraes (S&D), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Christine Revault d'Allonnes Bonnefoy (S&D), Barbara Spinelli (GUE/NGL), Sylvie Guillaume (S&D), Kostas Chrysogonos (GUE/NGL), Elly Schlein (S&D), Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL), Stelios Kouloglou (GUE/NGL), Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFA), João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL), Carlos Coelho (EPP), Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL), Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE), Liliana Rodrigues (S&D)  

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