EU attacked for 'subjecting migrants to rape and torture' in detention camps
BRUSSELS have been accused for living in “la-la land” over its plans to keep African migrants in Libyan detention centres where they could be subjected to torture.
Director-general of Medecins Sans Frontieres has laid in to the European Union (EU) for leaving people in inhumane conditions, where they are vulnerable to torture and extortion.
Arjan Hehenkamp said people were being “hunted and captured” before being used as slaves.
He added: “It is simply impossible that migrants can be traced safely in Libya.”
It is simply impossible that migrants can be traced safely in Libya
The director-general accused the EU of thinking based on “alternative facts and la-la land”.
His criticism comes after Brussels promised the UN-backed Libyan government €200million to stop refugees sailing from Libyan beaches to “ensure adequate reception capacities and conditions”.
The EU committed itself to training Libyan coastguard to turn back migrants while in Libyan waters.
However, Mr Hehenkamp said militias have reportedly been rounding up refugees and raping and torturing them until they pay large sums or cash to be freed, or hired as slaves.
He said the UN-backed government was too weak to ensure migrants were treated correctly in detention centre.
The charity boss said: “All centres controlled by militias, even the government ones.
“Migrants go back to the same abuse from which they escaped.”
Around 181,000 migrants were rescued at sea last year after coming from north Africa, while 24,000 have already sailed this year.