conflict in libya

February 04, 2008

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy received horrible news regarding human rights violations in Libya. According to sources, these atrocities started January 31st and are ongoing. The Libyan Police have started a campaign to arrest citizens of Darfur and Chad. They have been targeting Black Africans on their way to work, at the work place, and at their homes, in the form of armed robbery. Those who intend to travel back to Darfur are unable to do so as the borders between Libya and Chad, and Libya and Sudan, have been blocked. Those attempting to leave Libya have been stopped, arrested, and detained. Hundreds of people have had their belongings confiscated and have been subjected to violence and harassment. This situation is a result of the conflict between Sudan and Chad as Libyan authorities’ support the Sudanese government’s undermining of the Chadian government.

These victims are pleading with Damanga to raise awareness about this situation and alert the international community. The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is very concerned for the Chadian, Darfurian, and non-Arab refugees who are seeking safety and livelihood in Libya. We urge the UN and the US government to act immediately to stop the human rights violations in Libya. Additionally, we implore the UN and the US to pressure the Libyan president to end this violence and to free those who have been detained illegally.