merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., responded today to an attack that took place in Libya on the evening of 2 July 2019. 

Speaking from Germany, the Tánaiste said:

I condemn the missile attack on a Libyan detention centre in Tajoura yesterday, which has killed dozens of migrants and refugees, and injured many more. I join the calls of the EU and the UN for an investigation into this attack, and call on all parties to allow unconditional access of humanitarian actors. Attacks on civilians, or reckless attacks which endanger them, are completely unacceptable, are contrary to international humanitarian law, and in this instance may well constitute a war crime. This tragic event underlines the fact that the system of detention centres in Libya is completely unsuitable for migrants, and puts them at risk. My thoughts are with the injured, and the families of those who lost their lives.