A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Tuesday about the forced expulsion of migrants from South of the Sahara towards the borders of Libya and Algeria from Tunisia.
Farhan Haq, speaking at a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, highlighted the distressing situation faced by these migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
According to reports, several of them have lost their lives at the borders with Libya, while hundreds, including pregnant women and children, remain trapped in harsh conditions with limited access to food and water. It is estimated that hundreds of migrants from South of the Sahara reach Libya daily, after being left by Tunisian security forces in the middle of the desert, as stated by the testimonies of the migrants and Libyan border guards.
Humanitarian organizations in Libya, contacted by the French news agency, have reported at least 17 deaths in the past three weeks. In response to the crisis, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration have called for urgent solutions to rescue these stranded refugees.
The spokesperson reiterated the previous call made by the UNHCR and IOM, urging an immediate halt to the expulsion operations and swift relocation of those stranded at the borders to safe locations, he also stressed the importance of protecting all migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, treating them with dignity and upholding their human rights regardless of their circumstances, in line with international law.