International Humanitarian Organizations Halt Operations in Libya Amid Security Crackdown
Threats from Libya's Internal Security Agency force NGOs to suspend activities, raising concerns over humanitarian aid provision.
In Libya, multiple international humanitarian organizations have been compelled to suspend their operations following reported threats from the country's Internal Security Agency (ISA).
A letter signed by 17 mainly European ambassadors and a United Nations official, dated March 27, highlights an alleged ongoing crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian workers by the ISA, which operates under the interior ministry in Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognized government.
Between March 13 and March 27, the ISA reportedly summoned at least 18 staff members from six international NGOs for questioning.
The letter claims that ISA agents seized passports from these staff members, coerced them to resign, and made them sign agreements pledging never to work for an international NGO again.
Additionally, the letter asserts that the ISA sealed some offices of these organizations, further impeding their ability to operate.
As a precautionary measure, many other NGOs beyond the six directly implicated have also opted to halt their activities.
However, the specific organizations affected by these measures have not been publicly disclosed.
A source familiar with the situation indicated that among those impacted are the International Rescue Committee, the International Medical Corps, and the Danish Refugee Council.
The Danish Refugee Council stated that it could not comment on the situation; responses from the other groups have not been reported.
Reports suggest that some foreign NGO personnel have been ordered to leave Libya, while others have faced restrictions preventing their return following travel abroad.
Previous visa restrictions on foreign humanitarian workers were in place from July 2022 until December 2023, although operations had continued with local staff or individuals not requiring visas.
In their correspondence, the diplomats from the European Union, France, Britain, and others have expressed serious concern regarding the implications of these recent measures on humanitarian efforts in Libya.
They emphasize that the crackdown, which includes detentions and questioning of staff members, has had particularly alarming effects on primary health assistance in the region.
The letter urges Libyan authorities to allow the NGOs to reopen their offices and safely resume their humanitarian operations without delay.
The diplomats are also calling for the return of seized passports to the affected staff, seeking the invalidation of any resignation letters or pledges signed under duress at the ISA's office.
Libya has faced significant challenges in stabilizing its governance and humanitarian situation since the overthrow of former leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. The country remains divided between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival authority in the east led by military figure Khalifa Haftar.
A letter signed by 17 mainly European ambassadors and a United Nations official, dated March 27, highlights an alleged ongoing crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian workers by the ISA, which operates under the interior ministry in Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognized government.
Between March 13 and March 27, the ISA reportedly summoned at least 18 staff members from six international NGOs for questioning.
The letter claims that ISA agents seized passports from these staff members, coerced them to resign, and made them sign agreements pledging never to work for an international NGO again.
Additionally, the letter asserts that the ISA sealed some offices of these organizations, further impeding their ability to operate.
As a precautionary measure, many other NGOs beyond the six directly implicated have also opted to halt their activities.
However, the specific organizations affected by these measures have not been publicly disclosed.
A source familiar with the situation indicated that among those impacted are the International Rescue Committee, the International Medical Corps, and the Danish Refugee Council.
The Danish Refugee Council stated that it could not comment on the situation; responses from the other groups have not been reported.
Reports suggest that some foreign NGO personnel have been ordered to leave Libya, while others have faced restrictions preventing their return following travel abroad.
Previous visa restrictions on foreign humanitarian workers were in place from July 2022 until December 2023, although operations had continued with local staff or individuals not requiring visas.
In their correspondence, the diplomats from the European Union, France, Britain, and others have expressed serious concern regarding the implications of these recent measures on humanitarian efforts in Libya.
They emphasize that the crackdown, which includes detentions and questioning of staff members, has had particularly alarming effects on primary health assistance in the region.
The letter urges Libyan authorities to allow the NGOs to reopen their offices and safely resume their humanitarian operations without delay.
The diplomats are also calling for the return of seized passports to the affected staff, seeking the invalidation of any resignation letters or pledges signed under duress at the ISA's office.
Libya has faced significant challenges in stabilizing its governance and humanitarian situation since the overthrow of former leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. The country remains divided between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival authority in the east led by military figure Khalifa Haftar.
