Members of the Libyan community in Germany are complaining about the ongoing suspension of passport issuance and renewal services at the Libyan Embassy in Berlin, calling on the relevant state authorities to intervene urgently to address the crisis that has persisted for weeks—a situation that is preventing community members from accessing essential services in their host country.

A statement issued by “affected members of the Libyan community in Germany,” reviewed by Alwasat on Tuesday, stated that “A large number of Libyans have been suffering for some time due to the suspension of passport issuance and renewal procedures at the Libyan Embassy in Berlin, caused by the lack of a staff member specialized in the passport system and biometric photography, which has led to the suspension of the service or made it impossible to complete it as required.”

Consequences of the Suspension of Passport Issuance and Renewal

The statement emphasized that this situation has resulted in numerous humanitarian consequences, including: “The expiration of passports for a number of citizens, the inability to travel for medical, educational, or family reasons, difficulties in renewing German residence permits in some cases requiring a valid passport, and increased financial burdens resulting from some individuals being forced to travel to other countries or wait for long periods without clear solutions.”

The sources of the statement said: “A passport is a fundamental right of every citizen, and providing passport services at diplomatic missions is a legal and administrative duty toward citizens residing abroad,” appealing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Passport, Citizenship, and Foreigners Affairs Authority, the Presidential Council, and the Government of National Unity, as well as members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State concerned with the affairs of Libyans abroad, to take urgent action.

Urgent Measures to Address the Passport Crisis for Libyans in Germany

“Those affected among the Libyan community in Germany” demanded that a specialist in passport affairs be dispatched to the Libyan Embassy in Berlin as a matter of urgency, that a clear timeline be announced for the resumption of services, and that temporary solutions be provided for citizens whose passports have expired or are about to expire, as well as to communicate transparently with the Libyan community in Germany and keep them informed of updates regarding the resolution of the problem.

They also emphasized that “this appeal is not intended to place blame on any party, but rather to amplify the voices of the affected citizens and call for a swift solution that protects their rights and ensures the continuation of essential consular services.”