Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) in Geneva has asked the Italian government for an explanation of how refugees who are returned to Libya are handled, following an incident that took place 1 July in the Mediterranean, about 30 km from the island of Lampedusa.

The Italian Navy intercepted a group of 82 people, 76 of them Eritreans, who were heading to Italy from Libya. The Italian ship transferred them to a Libyan ship, and they were returned to Libya and placed in detention. The UNHCR says that given the seriousness of allegations of mistreatment by Italian personnel during the transfer, Italy is being asked to respect international norms.

The UNHCR was able to visit and interview the group and says “it is clear that a significant number from this group are in need of international protection.” They told the UNHCR that personal effects, including vital documents, were seized by the Italian Navy during the operation and have not yet been returned to them and that although they were in a state of distress after four days at sea the Italian Navy did not offer them any food during the 12-hour operation to return them to Libya.

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