In a new report by the United Nations on the July 2019 airstrikes in Libya that killed at least 53 migrants and refugees at the Tajoura detention centre, the UN has renewed its call on all parties to the conflict to conduct independent, impartial and thorough investigations to ensure accountability for violations of international law.
“The report is based on visits by UNSMIL personnel to the site, analysis of video footage and other evidence, as well as subsequent interviews with survivors and witnesses. It finds that on 2 July an air-delivered bomb struck a vehicle repair workshop operated by the Daman Brigade, an armed group allied with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA).” UNSMIL said.
It added that a second airstrike 11 minutes later hit the Tajoura Detention Centre, a large hangar located in the same complex where 616 migrants and refugees were being held. The second section of the hangar, where 126 people were detained took a direct hit, killing at least 47 men and six boys.
The report concurs with previous UN findings that the airstrikes were likely conducted by aircraft belonging to “a foreign state”.
The report notes that ”it remains unclear whether these air assets were under the command of the LNA (Libyan National Army) or were operated under the command of that foreign state in support of the LNA.”
All parties to the conflict knew the precise location and coordinates of the Tajoura Detention Centre, which was previously hit by an airstrike in May 2019.
According to several witnesses interviewed, the Head of the detention centre entered the hangar between the first and the second airstrike and shot dead three male migrants and refugees who were trying to open the doors and escape from the building. Interviewees did not provide the names of the victims or any other details, noting their fear of reprisals by Tajoura DCIM personnel.
“Migrants and refugees also stated they had heard gunshots fired at migrants and refugees who tried to escape from the complex. The surveillance camera footage shows at least one DCIM guard handling what appears to be an assault rifle outside the hangar between the two attacks. The surveillance camera footage, however, does not confirm whether shots were fired in any direction or at migrants and refugees between the two airstrikes.” The report says.
The report calls on all parties, particularly the GNA and the LNA, as well as any States supporting either party, to conduct investigations into the airstrikes with a view to ensuring the swift prosecution of those responsible.
The UN has repeatedly called for the closure of all migrant detention centres in Libya, where UN human rights staff have documented severe overcrowding, torture, ill-treatment, forced labour, rape, and acute malnutrition, among other serious human rights violations.
“Urgent priority should be given to closing centres in or next to compounds controlled by parties to the conflict.” It said.
