Amid rising anti-migrant sentiment, the Libyan Internal Security Authority has alleged that ten aid organizations are plotting to change the country's demographic by encouraging African migrants to reside there permanently. The expulsion order, delivered by the Tripoli-based government, has particularly targeted prominent humanitarian groups such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Internal Security Authority spokesman Salem Gheit described the supposed plan as a “hostile act,” claiming it threatens Libya's societal balance. These allegations echo previous sentiments from Tunisia, which faced backlash for similar anti-Black rhetoric two years prior. Libya and Tunisia, situated along the Mediterranean coast, are critical transit nations for migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been mired in chaos, with rival governments and armed militias complicating humanitarian efforts. Reports have emerged of migrants facing appalling conditions, including beatings, starvation, and trafficking. The government has yet to respond publicly to these serious accusations.
In light of the government's recent order, MSF has suspended its operations in Libya, citing a campaign of intimidation against international humanitarian staff. The organization expressed concern for the health and safety of both patients and humanitarian workers. Meanwhile, the UNHCR defended its work, clarifying that it provides aid to refugees, not migrants, and operates with the government’s agreement.
Allegations against the aid organizations include claims that they provide assistance in a way that incites migrants to view Libya as a final destination rather than a transit point. However, many migrants report that their intent is not to settle in Libya, but to move onward to Europe.
For years, sub-Saharan African migrants have faced severe human rights violations in Libya, including violence, enslavement, and sexual abuse. Accounts from survivors depict a society rife with racism and unfair treatment towards migrants. A Sudanese woman, trafficked in Libya, recounted her harrowing experiences, revealing the deep-seated discrimination based on skin color.
The situation in Libya remains precarious as the country grapples with both its internal crises and the complexities surrounding migration. The international community continues to watch closely, as the narrative of human rights in Libya unfolds against a backdrop of political turmoil and xenophobic sentiment.
Internal Security Authority spokesman Salem Gheit described the supposed plan as a “hostile act,” claiming it threatens Libya's societal balance. These allegations echo previous sentiments from Tunisia, which faced backlash for similar anti-Black rhetoric two years prior. Libya and Tunisia, situated along the Mediterranean coast, are critical transit nations for migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been mired in chaos, with rival governments and armed militias complicating humanitarian efforts. Reports have emerged of migrants facing appalling conditions, including beatings, starvation, and trafficking. The government has yet to respond publicly to these serious accusations.
In light of the government's recent order, MSF has suspended its operations in Libya, citing a campaign of intimidation against international humanitarian staff. The organization expressed concern for the health and safety of both patients and humanitarian workers. Meanwhile, the UNHCR defended its work, clarifying that it provides aid to refugees, not migrants, and operates with the government’s agreement.
Allegations against the aid organizations include claims that they provide assistance in a way that incites migrants to view Libya as a final destination rather than a transit point. However, many migrants report that their intent is not to settle in Libya, but to move onward to Europe.
For years, sub-Saharan African migrants have faced severe human rights violations in Libya, including violence, enslavement, and sexual abuse. Accounts from survivors depict a society rife with racism and unfair treatment towards migrants. A Sudanese woman, trafficked in Libya, recounted her harrowing experiences, revealing the deep-seated discrimination based on skin color.
The situation in Libya remains precarious as the country grapples with both its internal crises and the complexities surrounding migration. The international community continues to watch closely, as the narrative of human rights in Libya unfolds against a backdrop of political turmoil and xenophobic sentiment.
