Tripoli, 08/June/2021 – The Ministry of Interior (MoI), the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) have finalized the creation of the first Model Police Station (MPS) in Libya, located in Hai al-Andalus, as part of joint efforts to advance community security.

This important achievement is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Interior and several actors, including UNDP’s Resilience and Recovery Project funded by the European Union (EU), UNDP-UNSMIL Police and Security Joint Programme (PSJP) funded by the Government of Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and US INL, as well as the  EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM).

With generous funding from the EU, UNDP completed the rehabilitation works of the police station which consisted of the construction of two buildings with an area of approximately 1,600 square meters. To make it fully operational, UNDP also equipped the MPS with essential furniture as well as Information Technology (IT) equipment. The total investment for this project amounts to around US$ 1.4 million.

The MPS was designed to strengthen the capacity of Libyan security services, and to integrate good practice in community-oriented, citizen focused policing and police organization management. To further develop the concept, all mandatory policing function required to be performed, job descriptions were developed and validated, and enabling resources were identified and agreed by all partners.

The police station is ready now to serve approximately 300,000 people and to be a model for other police stations around the country in its functionality and sustainability with a rights-based approach.

During the inauguration ceremony, Libyan Minister of Interior, H.E. Mr. Khaled al-Tijiani Mazen noted, “The Ministry appreciates the support from the entire international community in the strengthening of its strategic plans. The officers of the MoI do not lack determination and will, and they have enough professional history to advance this security and police edifice. Also, they are invested in the available development opportunities to improve their level of performance by making the most of international experiences”.

EU Ambassador. H.E. Mr. José Sabadell said, “Rule of law and rebuilding people’s trust in state security institutions will be essential elements in rebuilding Libya, and the Libyan unity government put these aspects high on their agenda. The European Union will certainly be ready to provide strong support to the Libyan government’s security sector reform agenda.”

Ms. Georgette Denise Gagnon, Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya stated, “Model community policing also requires that all those with law enforcement responsibilities in Ministry of Interior institutions - police stations, detention centers and jails - serve and treat all people they come into contact with professionally and equally without discrimination, particularly vulnerable people including children, women, refugees, migrants and victim of crime”.

UNDP Libya Resident Representative, Mr. Gerardo Noto, acknowledged, “This is an important milestone towards strengthening resilience and community security. Access to justice and enhancing people’s confidence in rule of law institutions through community-oriented service is a building block for inclusive development and democratic governance in Libya, under the coordination and control of the Government of Libya.”

Head of Mission to EUBAM, Ms. Natalina Cea said, “EUBAM Libya is delighted to see the completion of this project, which has only been possible due to the close collaboration of our Libyan and international partners. It is a fine example of what we can achieve working together and we look forward to seeing the best practices, that this model police station represents, being extended across Libya.”

UNDP is committed to supporting police and judicial actors to deliver people-centered, gender and conflict-responsive services; and to promote political discussions on security sector governance that are inclusive and context-sensitive.

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This project is implemented in the framework of the programme "Managing mixed migration flows in Libya through expanding protection space and supporting local socioeconomic development" financed by the North of Africa Window of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. The main objective of this programme is to comprehensively reinforce protection and resilience of migrants, refugees and host communities in Libya while supporting an improved migration management along the migration routes in the country.

For more information, or media interviews please contact: media.ly@undp.org