Caring for the families of the missing (Photo story)

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14 Aug 2012

Caring for the families of the missing (Photo story)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Ian Martin, on 14 August 2012 visited a support centre in Tripoli where families of the missing during the conflict can come and receive support, exchange experiences or take part in a variety of activities.

 

 

The support centre, set up by the organization "Mafqood" in partnership with the Free Generation Movement and Creative Associates, is the first of its kind in Libya and is headed by Dr. Mervat Mhani.

Around 40 people attended the opening of the centre, including the organizers, families of the missing, members of a Sabha youth association, and UNSMIL staff members.

The SRSG spoke with several people whose loved ones remain missing. They included a man whose five sons went missing immediately following the revolution; a woman whose husband disappeared but wants to volunteer her time; and a man whose son went missing after he was detained in Ain Zara last year.

The relatives all expressed hope that the new centre will provide them with a safe place to come together and talk about their experiences and plan campaigns to pressure the authorities to search for and identify their loved ones.