Tripoli: Hanan Al-Sharif, head of the Libyan Organization for Human Rights (LOHR), has advocated for the establishment of a national body dedicated to managing migration and asylum issues. She stressed the need for clear national management to safeguard Libya's national security and social stability, particularly amidst ongoing discussions on regulating the presence of migrants and refugees within the country.
According to Libyan News Agency, Al-Sharif highlighted in a press statement that managing migration and asylum is a sovereign matter that requires adherence to existing legislation and respect for national sovereignty. She pointed out that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) initially operated in Libya under exceptional humanitarian circumstances and specific asylum cases.
Al-Sharif emphasized that the growth of UNHCR's activities in recent years calls for a legal and regulatory review by relevant authorities to ensure clarity in jurisdiction and respect for national sovereignty. She urged the development of clear institutional mechanisms to address these issues.
Furthermore, Al-Sharif noted the importance of establishing a specialized national body to manage migration and asylum matters, aiming to balance Libya's humanitarian obligations with its national interests.
Similarly, the Tripoli-based activists' movement "No to Settlement, No to Resettlement" has called for enhanced national procedures to regulate migration. The movement underscored its stance on protecting national sovereignty and security, urging relevant authorities to develop clear policies on the matter.
The movement referenced data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) concerning migrant numbers and their distribution across Libya's municipalities and regions. It stressed the need for a comprehensive national approach to tackle the security, economic, and social challenges associated with migration.
The UNHCR, for its part, confirmed that its role in Libya is limited to providing humanitarian and technical support in collaboration with Libyan authorities. It clarified that it does not run programs to resettle migrants within Libya and holds no sovereign powers over migration management.
The UNHCR further stated that registering refugees does not impact Libya's authority over foreign nationals, as its efforts focus on humanitarian protection, basic assistance, and finding international solutions for those in need.
The UNHCR also noted that over 83 percent of registered individuals are Sudanese nationals, emphasizing that voluntary return to their countries of origin is an available option for those wishing to do so.
These proposals emerge as migration and asylum gain heightened attention from official institutions and civil society organizations in Libya, with calls for clearer regulatory frameworks to address irregular migration and asylum issues.