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Reports out of Libya say that
rebels of the National Transition
Council are killing black Africans
Daily Telegraph reports that the
victims include Nigerians, black
Libyans and other citizens of
sub-Saharan African.
It was said that no fewer than 20
black men were found dead
outside Col Gaddafi’s compound
after Libyan rebels captured
Tripoli. Their hands were tied
behind their backs and some of
them had been shot in the head.
On the road south out of Tripoli,
about 200 black people were
also said to be hiding in a small
encampment made of two small
outbuildings shielded by a small
wall and a metal door. Most of
them were also Nigerians, some
were Ghanaian.
Amnesty International said it was
told that between one third and
half of those detained were from
sub-Saharan Africa.
“An Amnesty International
delegation visiting the Central
Tripoli Hospital witnessed three
Thuwwar revolutionaries, as the
opposition fighters are
commonly known, dragging a
black patient from the western
town of Tawargha from his bed
and detaining him.
“The Thuwwar said the man
would be taken to Misrata for
questioning. Two other black
Libyans receiving treatment in
the hospital for gunshot wounds
were warned by the anti-Gaddafi
forces that their turn was
coming,” a statement by the
group statement said.
Sydney Morning Herald reports
that the ousted Libyan leader
employed nationals from
different Africans nations as part
of a special protection force.
Scores of black men were
arrested during the battle for the
Col Gaddafi stronghold of Abu
Salim in Tripoli. According to
reports, some migrants were
said to be stranded near a
seaside resort, others had fled
the city.
However, Associated Press
reports that the African Union
Chairman, Jean Ping said the
Libyan rebels may be
indiscriminately killing black
people because they have
confused innocent migrant
workers with mercenaries.
‘’The National Transitional Council
seems to confuse black people
with mercenaries,’’ Ping, said.
He added that this could be a
reason the African Union had not
recognised the opposition forces
as Libya’s interim government.
“One third of the population is
black. They are killing people,
normal workers, mistreating
them,’’ he said.
However, Amnesty official,
Claudio Cordone was quoted as
saying: “We have to fear for what
may be happening to detainees
out of the sight of independent
observers. Many risk reprisals as
a result of allegations that
Gaddafi forces used African
mercenaries during the conflict.
“Amnesty welcomed calls by the
NTC for its supporters to treat
captives with dignity and to
avoid revenge attacks. But the
council must do more to ensure
that their fighters do not abuse
detainees, especially the most
vulnerable ones such as black
Libyans and sub-Saharan
Africans.
Also Ping urged the new
government should say
something to condemn the
killings. He said, ‘’We want to see
a signal that the African workers
will be evacuated.’’
Richard Sollom, deputy director
of Physicians for Human Rights,
who completed a fact-finding
mission in Misrata in June also
said, “Fighters engaging in
abuses should be immediately
removed from active duty,
pending investigation. All crimes,
no matter who committed them,
should be investigated and those
responsible brought to justice.”
Sollom said his Boston group
knew of about 500 Darfuris who
are desperately trying to get out
of Libya, adding, “They very much
fear for their lives because of the
colour of their skin.”
