Switzerland agrees to take some refugees from Libya detention centers

GENEVA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Swiss government said Friday it has agreed to take up to 80 particularly vulnerable refugees as part of an emergency plan by the UN refuge agency, UNHCR, to evacuate some 5,000 people from detention centers in Libya.

This is an "urgent humanitarian measure", Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told journalists, noting it is justified because of the current catastrophic situation in Libya, the Swiss News Agency, ATS, reported.

Many people on the move are trying to head for Europe, including women, children and unaccompanied minors, and are held in unofficial camps and detention centers in Libya.

There have been cases of exploitation, abuse, torture, sexual violence, and even human trafficking and slavery that have recently been highlighted, raising an international outcry after being exposed by humanitarian workers.

UNHCR estimates that about 5,000 people particularly need to be protected and must be evacuated from Libya.

The refugee agency seeks countries able to receive as soon as possible people whose refugee status it has recognized.

The situation for asylum seekers has eased in Switzerland and applications have fallen to their lowest level since 2010, ATS reported. Enditem