Libya ‘crackdown' forces aid groups to cease operations: diplomats
TUNIS: Diplomats in Libya have said in a letter to authorities seen by AFP that several international humanitarian organizations were forced to suspend operations after threats by security services and forced resignations.
In the letter, which was obtained by AFP on Wednesday, 17 mainly European ambassadors and a UN official accuse the Internal Security Agency (ISA) of an 'ongoing crackdown' on non-governmental groups and humanitarian aid workers.
In war-torn Libya split between two rival administrations, the ISA reports to the interior ministry in the capital Tripoli, seat of the UN-recognized government.
'Between March 13 and 27, the ISA summoned at least 18 staff members from six international NGOs for questioning,' said the letter addressed to the Tripoli-based foreign ministry.
ISA agents 'seized some of their passports,' forced them to 'resign from their positions' and pledge in writing never to work for an international NGO again, the letter added.
It also said the security service 'sealed some of their offices.'
Beyond the six groups directly affected, the diplomats said that 'many other organizations are suspending activities as a matter of precaution.'
AFP was not able to independently verify the claims made in the letter, dated March 27.
The authorities in Tripoli did not immediately comment on the matter, but announced a press conference later on Wednesday to address 'the work of international NGOs.'
Libya has struggled to recover from the chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
It remains split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival authority in the east, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.
The diplomats' letter does not name the organizations affected by the ISA's alleged measures, but a source familiar with the issue said on condition of anonymity that they include the International Rescue Committee, the International Medical Corps and the Danish Refugee Council.
Contacted by AFP, the Danish Refugee Council said it 'could not comment' on the matter. There was no immediate comment from the other groups.
The source said that some foreign NGO staff members had been ordered to leave Libya, while others had been barred from returning after recent trips abroad.
The source mentioned that the authorities had already imposed visa restrictions on foreign humanitarian workers between July 2022 and December 2023, but operations had continued using local staff or individuals who did not require visas.
In their letter, the diplomats from the European Union, France, Britain and other countries as well as a top UN humanitarian representative voiced concern about the impact of the measures.
The crackdown including detention and questioning of staff members has had a 'particularly alarming' effect 'on the provision of humanitarian primary health assistance,' the letter said.
It urged authorities to allow the NGOs to 'reopen their offices and safely restart humanitarian operations as soon as possible.'
It also demanded that seized passports be returned to staff members, and 'any resignation letters or pledges signed at the ISA office' invalidated.
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