LIBYA/FILE: As new rulers vow to build democratic state that European and U.S. backers hope will justify intervention against Muammar Gaddafi on humanitarian grounds, the fate of African migrants and dark-skinned Libyans may provide an early test
Record ID:
452608
LIBYA/FILE: As new rulers vow to build democratic state that European and U.S. backers hope will justify intervention against Muammar Gaddafi on humanitarian grounds, the fate of African migrants and dark-skinned Libyans may provide an early test
- Title: LIBYA/FILE: As new rulers vow to build democratic state that European and U.S. backers hope will justify intervention against Muammar Gaddafi on humanitarian grounds, the fate of African migrants and dark-skinned Libyans may provide an early test
- Date: 26th September 2011
- Summary: ADULT AND CHILDREN STANDING IN DOORWAY WOMAN LOOKING OUTSIDE CLOSER VIEW OF CHILDREN
- Embargoed: 11th October 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVA7WFX00MACP4HPWODWCESP6RDZ
- Story Text: For African labourers in the newly-seized Libyan capital, a new era began when the joy of conquest turned into rage at the Africans whose colour identified them with Muammar Gaddafi's foreign soldiers of fortune.
Race and skin colour were already dividing lines for Libyans, and as in other North African Arab states, many people have a dismissive attitude toward black Africans.
But the atrocities attributed to black mercenaries during the uprising against Gaddafi, as well as the allegiance some regions populated by dark-skinned Libyans showed him in the war, have given the race question a new and deadly currency.
Hundreds of Africans can now be found squatting at a fishing port in Tripoli's suburbs, where they hang blankets from rickety boats to shield themselves from the sun, and cook over open fires amid the acrid stink of urine.
Many had fled here in fear.
"I came here because I was afraid to stay in town. I could be hurt, there's too many stories I'd heard. So, I ran to this place when the fighting was getting closer into Tripoli," said Antony, a Nigerian living in Libya.
The question of migrants seeking to reach Europe via Libya, which Gaddafi used as leverage in dealings with the region, is already central to the new leadership's diplomatic relations.
"The aim that I am here is only to go to abroad but I don't want to participate in the war that is going on in this country of Libya," said Alan, from Somalia.
A Muslim charity has taken in hundreds of Somalis fearing for their safety.
Islamic Relief Worldwide provide shelter, food and water as well as an opportunity to work for fair local wages if the refugees choose to do so.
Many of their shelters were heavily damaged by fighting in the conflict but have been repaired and cleaned by many of the refugees themselves.
"When the companies, the factories return to Tripoli and life gets closer back to normal, we'll be trying to be right there, trying to make arrangements for these people to be getting into the workplace," said Nicolas Bruylants, programme director with Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Rebels who swept Tripoli rounded up hundreds of Africans as Gaddafi fell, pointing to identity papers from African states found on dark-skinned corpses in Gaddafi strongholds as evidence that the population of African workers and migrants included many hired soldiers and Gaddafi loyalists.
The arrests, fuelled in part by accounts of a black mercenary role in suppressing an abortive Tripoli uprising in February, filled the city's jails, schools and sports facilities with detainees and sent thousands of Africans into hiding.
The treatment of Africans, and the status of those detained by rebel fighters, was raised by the European Union days after the leaders of France and Britain -- the most vocal European champions of the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) -- pledged further support and received promises of favourable treatment in future business dealings with Libya.
Despite assurances from the interim government that no distinctions are made based on colour, international rights groups say Libya's ability to provide impartial justice remains an open question. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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