Tunis, Tunisia – 1 February 2017. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is conducting a two-week course on human rights and refugee law for the Libyan Coastguard and Navy. The training is being held on an Italian ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

“This training represents an important opportunity to build up the capacity of members of the Libyan Coastguard and Navy on how to deal with refugees and asylum seekers in a mixed migration context and in full respect of Libya’s international obligations,” said Nisreen Rubaian, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR. “This training, which will be given in Arabic, is very practical and has been adapted to the Libyan context,” she added.

The 94 participants are all involved in rescue-at-sea operations in the Central Mediterranean and will be receiving guidance on procedures to follow during such operations. They will also be trained on human rights and refugee law and how to apply these in this specific context.

The training is being organized by European Union Naval Force Mediterranean’s Operation Sophia, with UNHCR and IOM as co-leading agencies. It is part of UNHCR’s larger engagement for refugees and migrants rescued off the Libyan coast.

UNHCR works in five health posts at disembarkation points in Libya, where it provides medical and hygiene assistance to people rescued or intercepted at sea and brought to shore.

For more information visit: www.unhcr.org or https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/libya/infographics