Abuses against foreign nationals in Libya have worsened since the overthrow of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi’s regime last year, according to a new report from Amnesty International.
The human rights organisation says that during a series of fact-finding visits to Libya between May and September this year in which they examined the plight of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, they found that undocumented foreign nationals were at risk of exploitation, arbitary and indefinite detention and beatings – some of which amount to torture.
Amnesty says that the situation for foreign nationals – in particular those from sub-Saharan Africa – is now worse than it was under Gaddafi’s rule with armed militias continuing to act outside the law and authorities failing to tackle racism and xenophobia. The latter has been fuelled by the widespread belief that “African mercenaries” were used by the former government against the rebels during the 2011 conflict.
“The Libyan authorities must acknowledge the extent of the abuse by militias and put into place measures to protect all foreign nationals from violence and abuse, regardless of their origin or immigration status,” says Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy Middle East and North Africa director.
“Amnesty International has repeatedly and consistently warned the Libyan authorities of the threat posed by the militias in Libya. We urge them to rein in these militias and hold them accountable.”
During their visits to nine detention centres across Libya, Amnesty found that foreign nationals had been subjected to torture and beatings with objects including metal wires, rubber hoses and water pipes.
