Racist Discrimination against Sub-Saharan African Migrants in Libya Continues.

Earlier this year in January, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), released information regarding the situation of Sub-Saharan migrants in Libya.  These migrants had endured extreme difficulties during the time in Libya.

Due the country’s recent despair and destruction, both migrants and Libyan civilians have endured extreme hardships and suffered from violations of human rights. Migrants in particular have been subject to exploitation and abuse from authorities. 

There have been cases of African migrants either working without payment for weeks on end, or to get paid then to have their accommodation raided by armed groups.  A report issued by the OHCHR earlier this week investigating the humanitarian crisis in Libya, highlights that the migrants, coming from West African countries (such as The Gambia, Senegal and Eritrea), shows that there have been cases of arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and forced labour.

The report concludes that migrants are particularly at risk in Libya.   

On Friday the UN Human rights council re-iterated the atrocities of the situation for West African migrants in Libya, as they have been exposed to racial abuse and discrimination, especially when attempting to leave Libya.  Whilst trying to leave Libya with smugglers, some of the Sub-Saharan migrants are forced to remain below deck in crowded and cramped conditions without food.  Unless they pay more to stay on the upper deck, many of the African migrants die from suffocation and cramped conditions.  The OHCHR state that they will continue to monitor the situation but very little can be done as such appalling treatment begins right at the heart of the war and conflict zones in Libya.

Evidently the current environment in countries such as Syria and Libya is causing thousands of innocent people to lose their lives.  What’s worse is that not only are these poor people fleeing their countries out of fear or in the hope of obtaining some sanctuary or security, but they are also being subject to racial discrimination. To be given false hope of leaving such devastating environments and to die or suffer on the basis of one’s skin colour is beyond atrocious.  

 By Anoushka RAI, under the supervision of Gorgui W.NDOYE