The programme “Protection of vulnerable people in Libya” consists of two components:
- the first will ensure that detainees are afforded treatment and living conditions, including respect for their judicial guarantees, which meet internationally recognised standards.
- the second will provide psychosocial rehabilitation, community mental health services and socioeconomic integration through a comprehensive approach, reaching out to vulnerable and at-risk groups, including the economically and socially disadvantaged, Internally Displaced People and minorities.
It is expected that stronger integration of the country within regional trade networks, and deeper trade and economic ties with the EU, can contribute over time to social and economic development. Negotiations on a framework agreement covering overall EU-Libya relations, including trade and economic cooperation, had already started before the revolution but were suspended with the outbreak of the uprising. It is now expected that discussions will be resumed with a view to developing an agreement on trade and cooperation issues between Libya and the EU modelled on those with other European Neighbourhood partner countries.
As regards the situation of vulnerable people in Libya, the EU Heads of Mission (HoMs) 2012 report on protection of vulnerable groups in Libya of 2012 noted that the situation is particularly dire for minority groups, such as the Tawergha, the Mesheshya and the Tuareg. As of March 2013, the Libyan Relief Agency (LibAid), reported 74,802 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), most of whom of Tawarghan origin, living in urban settings and camp-like settings in and around Tripoli, the Nafusa Mountains and Benghazi, and in detention.
The EU's total programme in Libya now stands at €95 million, focusing on security, economic recovery, health, public administration, migration, civil society and protection of vulnerable groups. This is in addition to €80.5 million provided for humanitarian assistance during the conflict in 2011.
(Source: EU Neighbourhood Info)
