URGENT: Global Sumud Land Convoy Detainees Enter 4th Day Of 'Dry' Hunger Strike In Libyan Black Site As Health Collapses
June 4, 2026 BENGHAZI, LIBYA – The Global Sumud Flotilla issues an urgent, life-or-death appeal for the 11 humanitarian volunteers arbitrarily detained in Libya. Ten of the eleven detainees are now on their fourth consecutive day of a brutal "dry" hunger strike, refusing both food and water, to protest their unlawful imprisonment, denial of legal access, extended detention, and mistreatment.
As of today, the health of the striking volunteers is rapidly deteriorating. Yesterday, multiple instances of fainting were reported, with the women delegates being particularly affected. Despite the critical nature of their physical collapse, Libyan authorities are denying them external medical monitoring. No official medical teams have been permitted to visit the detainees. Instead, the captured medical doctors within the convoy's own delegation are forced to monitor and examine their collapsing comrades, despite being severely exhausted themselves.
Imprisoned in ‘Black Sites’ and Subjected to Psychological Warfare
The volunteers are currently being held in an isolated, non-civilian prison complex operated by the Ministry of Interior, known locally as a "black site." Stripped of their basic human rights, the delegates are facing a calculated
campaign of psychological harassment and intensive interrogation.
According to reports from the facility:
Total Isolation: The detainees remain completely cut off from the outside world, their families, and independent legal representation.
Weaponized False Hope: Authorities are deliberately flooding the volunteers with contradictory information, repeatedly fabricating promises of release every two days to systematically break their psychological resilience.
Judicial Manipulation: Captors have informed the group that they will be brought before a court next Tuesday. However, based on a pattern of consistent administrative deception, the volunteers believe this is a cruel tactic designed to toy with their nerves and prolong their illegal confinement.
The Background of the Crisis
The crisis began on May 24, when a 10-member negotiation delegation neared Sirte in good faith to negotiate with Libyan authorities regarding safe passage for their aid convoy. Instead of being received for dialogue, they were forced into unmarked vans and disappeared. They join Mehdi Bouzguenda, a 24-year-old Tunisian technical volunteer arrested on May 19 while returning home. On June 2, their arbitrary detention was extended for 10 additional days under the guise of immigration violations, despite all volunteers holding valid visas and entering the country legally.
The Global Sumud Flotilla warns Libyan authorities and the Ministry of Interior that they bear full legal and moral responsibility for the lives and physical integrity of these international humanitarian workers. A dry hunger strike is rapidly fatal; without immediate intervention, this humanitarian crisis will turn into a tragedy.
We demand the immediate entry of independent medical monitors, access for international consuls, and the immediate, unconditional release of all 11 volunteers.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION & CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Signal / WhatsApp: +44 1414 620 950
Website: globalsumudflotilla.org
Submit press inquiries here.
Follow our announcements on telegram.
Social: @maghreb_sumud_organisation @globalsumudflotilla
