Across Borders and Prison Walls: Keeping Families Connected During the Libya–Chad Conflict

Not all efforts succeeded.

Despite sustained engagement, the ICRC was at times denied access to Libyan prisoners held in Chad after active hostilities had ended. In some cases, private interviews were restricted, and transfers took place without ICRC oversight.

These limitations mattered. Without full access, the ICRC could not always carry out its work according to its standard procedures or provide the same level of protection and follow-up to detainees and their families.

Even under these constraints, engagement continued. The ICRC kept dialogue open and continued to raise humanitarian concerns with the relevant authorities.

This is also part of humanitarian work, which is built not only on what can be immediately achieved, but also on the effort to continue engaging when access is incomplete, sensitive or contested.