Argentine humanitarian volunteers in Libya contact families during hunger strike

On 4 June, after more than ten days without official information, Argentine volunteers Lucas Aguilera and Paula Giménez were able to speak with their families from Benghazi. Both are part of a ten‑person Convoy Global Sumud Magreb that was seized near Sirte while travelling to Gaza with humanitarian aid. The detainees report being held arbitrarily in a secretive detention centre run by Libya’s Ministry of Interior, isolated from each other, without legal assistance, proper hygiene or independent medical care. Since early June they have been on a hunger strike; several volunteers have also undertaken a dry‑strike, leading to fainting, weight loss and severe health risks.

Human‑rights organisations, legislators and families have demanded an immediate proof‑of‑life, an international humanitarian visit and urgent diplomatic action by Argentina, Italy (the only country with a diplomatic presence in eastern Libya), the Red Cross, the UN and other relevant bodies. The detained group includes nationals from Uruguay, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Tunisia, the United States and Argentina. Calls have been made for the Argentine foreign ministry and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene and secure access to the detainees.