This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On July 3, 2019, airstrikes on a migrant detention center in Libya killed at least 40 people and wounded over 130, sparking international condemnation.
The United Nations envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, described the attack as 'clearly a war crime' due to the 'callous disregard for human life' shown by those responsible.
Libyan health officials reported that 80 people were also wounded in the strikes, which targeted a detention center housing migrants and refugees.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for an end to the fighting in Libya, stating that civilians must not be targeted and that migrants and refugees should not be detained.
Grandi also emphasized that Libya is not a safe place for migrants who are rescued trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
The African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, demanded an independent investigation into the airstrikes and called for all sides to ensure the safety of civilians, especially detained migrants.
