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Refugees and asylum seekers
UNHCR is shocked by the tragic death of more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers in the proximity of Sicily. The boat, which originated from Libya, caught fire half a mile from the island of Lampedusa. 500 persons mainly from Eritrea were on board. Many of the casualties involved children and pregnant women. This is one of the worse maritime incidents recorded recently. This tragedy reminds us once again about the importance of identifying protection solutions for refugees and asylum seekers. In Libya many persons of concern to UNHCR continue to be subject to widespread and ongoing mistreatment in detention. UNHCR advocates the urgent identification of alternatives to detention and the access to basic services for persons of concern in Libya.
As part of its regular activities, in September UNHCR visited five centres detaining persons of concern. On 8 September, UNHCR was in Garaboli detention centre managed by the Department of Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM). At the time of the visit 300 persons were detained. Detainees included Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali women as well as children. On 9 September, UNHCR together with Médecins Sans Frontières were in Sourman detention centre also under the authority of DCIM. Thirdly, on 10 September UNHCR visited Misrata detention centre. Persons in the detention were arrested after being intercepted at sea by the Misrata Coast Guard. UNHCR succeeded in releasing some of them. Finally, on 11 September 2013, UNHCR was in Garyan to visit Gendouba prison at the request of the Ministry of Justice. In Garyan UNHCR also visited Arbushada detention centre that accommodates approximately 300 detainees including persons of concern to UNHCR such as Ethiopians, Eritreans and Somalis. The office is providing assistance and is seeking the release of persons with medical conditions, pregnant women and children.