A Tunisian human rights group has urged the release of 120 Tunisians in Libyan prisons, who face minor or unfounded charges. Most were arrested for work-related issues, and many have served half of their sentences. The group emphasized the detainees’ ordinary status, requesting collaboration between Tunisian and Libyan authorities for their release, while also addressing the situation of Tunisian women and children detained in Libya.
A Tunisian human rights organization has called for the immediate release of 120 Tunisian citizens currently detained in Libya. Mustafa Abdel Kabir, the head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, expressed concern regarding the detainees, many of whom are facing what he termed “minor or fabricated charges,” which encompass sentences ranging from one to five years.
He elaborated that most of these individuals were apprehended due to work-related disputes, the lack of medical certificates, or allegations of customs violations. Notably, Abdel Kabir pointed out that all detainees had entered Libya legally, whether as workers, traders, or visitors.
Abdel Kabir firmly denied any connections between these detainees and extremist activities, identifying them as “ordinary citizens” aged predominantly between 22 and 30, with some in the 45 to 55 age range. He urged the Tunisian government to engage with Libyan authorities to facilitate the release of these individuals, stressing that many have already served half of their sentences. Additionally, he mentioned that there are 32 Tunisian women and children remaining in Libya, families of individuals associated with the Islamic State group, who have yet to be repatriated.
The ongoing situation regarding the detention of Tunisian citizens in Libya arises from complex legal and humanitarian challenges within the region. In recent years, disputes over labor regulations, healthcare documentation, and alleged infractions of customs laws have led to increased apprehensions of foreign nationals in Libya. Moreover, the presence of Tunisian nationals in Libya, whether for work, trade, or familial visits, compounds these challenges, often resulting in detentions that lack stringent legal grounds or adequate representation. Human rights organizations, such as the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, have taken on the role of advocating for these individuals, highlighting issues of injustice and calling for governmental action to ensure their release.
In conclusion, the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights has brought attention to the plight of 120 Tunisians detained in Libya, advocating for their release based on claims of unjust detention and minor charges. The organization emphasizes the legality of their entry into Libya and their status as ordinary citizens, devoid of extremism associations. The appeal for cooperation between Tunisian and Libyan authorities underlines the urgency of addressing human rights concerns, especially in light of the additional situation of Tunisian women and children still held in the country.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
