The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), an independent humanitarian organization operating in Libya, raised concern on Friday over the mass arrests and detention of more than 500 migrants in Tripoli by Libyan authorities.

Libya’s Interior Ministry stated that security forces have carried out a major  operation against criminals, liquor and drug dealers, and undocumented people in Gargaresh, Tripoli. The NRC alleges that it has received reports of the migrants, including women and children, being rounded up, arbitrarily detained and placed at risk of abuse and ill-treatment.

Notably, the Gargaresh region of Libya has many migrants who wish to pass through the country and across the Mediterranean for a better life in Europe. Several refugees continue to be held in the state’s detention facilities operated by the Directorate of Combatting Illegal Migration.

According to a statement by United Nations Support Mission in Libya, one migrant was also killed with at least 15 others injured with at least 6 of them severely injured after sustaining gunshot wounds. It also reported that communication channels were shut down in an attempt to prevent migrants from accessing information and seeking assistance.

The director of NRC’s Libyan arm, Dax Roque,  stated:

“We call on the Libyan authorities to immediately release those detained and to end the crackdown on migrants and refugees taking place across the country. Countries with ties to Libya, particularly European states must also scale up pathways for resettlement of refugees in Libya.”

The UN has asked Libyan state authorities to investigate reports of lethal and excessive force used against migrants, and reminded it to “respect at all time the human rights and dignity of all people, including migrants and asylum-seekers.”