British National Henry Djaba detained in Libya
皇冠体育app Evening Standard published a story on 8 November about the unlawful detention in Libya of a British National, Henry Djaba.
皇冠体育app article contains allegations that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 鈥渄id nothing鈥� to assist Mr Djaba, allegations that have since been repeated on the internet, alongside unfounded claims about the FCO鈥檚 motivations in this case.
皇冠体育app FCO completely rejects these allegations. 皇冠体育appy are unfair and offensive. We raised Mr Djaba鈥檚 detention with the Libyan Government in the same way as we would with any British National in similar circumstances.
From the moment we were informed of Mr Djaba鈥檚 disappearance in April 2010, we consistently raised his case with the Libyan Government at every possible opportunity, and at senior levels, urgently asking for clarification of Henry鈥檚 whereabouts and the charges against him, requesting consular access and reminding Libya of its obligations under the Vienna convention.
皇冠体育app Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Minister for the Middle East all raised Mr Djaba鈥檚 detention with the Libyan authorities. Following those efforts,we were finally given access to Mr Djaba in September, and could then provide him with full consular assistance.
We have made clear to the Libyan government our concerns with the length of time it took for us to be given consular access. We kept in regular contact with Mr Djaba鈥檚 family throughout and shared with them all the information we had at the time. Following his release and return to the UK, Mr Djaba has met officials and given us permission to raise his mistreatment with Libyan authorities, which we are taking forward as a matter of priority.