The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged European countries not to turn back to Libya illegal migrants and asylum seekers rescued in the Mediterranean for the potential of facing serious abuses.
In a statement Wednesday, the UNHCR warned against the recent move made by the Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
“Insecurity and lack of governance have allowed illegal activities to flourish, such as corruption, human trafficking, and human trading, which would further increase the instability in the country,” the UNHCR said, according to AFP.
The UNHCR explained that the proposals to establish centres to look into the files of asylum seekers in Libya or other North African countries according to an agreement reached by the leaders of the European Union in June would not change its position.
