Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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114. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the reports that at least 4,000 refugees, including pregnant women, newborn babies and unaccompanied children, were caught up in violence between rival factions battling for control of Sabratha in Libya and had to be rescued; if his attention has been further drawn to an organisation's (details supplied) reports on conditions faced by refugees trapped in detention centres in Libya; and if he will meet with the organisation to discuss the gross violation of the human rights of refugees in Libya. [44121/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Libya is very unstable, and the violence in Sabratha and the humanitarian consequences for civilians, are a cause for serious concern. As I have stated before in this House, the ongoing fighting in Libya exacerbates the situation for migrants. The government has only partial control of the territory, which limits the capacity of the international community to ensure accountability for these alleged abuses.

I know the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is working in extremely difficult conditions to provide assistance to the refugees and migrants in Sabratha. I commend their work, and I am glad that Ireland is able to provide core funding to UNHCR, in support of their global efforts.

I know that conditions in many detention centres are appalling, and I strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses against refugees and migrants. At the June 2017 Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland expressed deep concern at the conditions experienced by migrants in detention centres in Libya. EU Foreign Ministers also adopted Council Conclusions in July, which urge the Libyan authorities to improve humanitarian access to and conditions in detention centres, as well as to look for alternatives to detention.

The EU has a number of practical initiatives which provide assistance and protection to migrants, refugees and host communities in Libya, in particular inside detention centres. The EU also provides training (including in international humanitarian law, human rights and gender issues) and other support to enhance the border management capacities of the Libyan authorities. The EU supports the work of UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure that there are adequate reception facilities for migrants.

In September, officials from my Department met with the organisation referenced by the Deputy to discuss the human rights situation in Libya, in particular in detention centres. A return to stability and an end to lawlessness in Libya is crucial to ensuring an end to these terrible abuses, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely.

A step-change in improving the situation of migrants in Libya requires political stability and a return of security, through the formation of a functioning government and a return to order throughout the country. Through the EU, Ireland both supports UN mediation and regional efforts in pursuit of stabilisation in Libya.

Ireland’s aid programme, which has a focus on ending extreme poverty, hunger and under-nutrition, is also contributing to improving conditions of life in countries of transit and origin for migrants.