Asylum seekers: Libya’s hidden crisis

Immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa are reportedly being attacked indiscriminately in Libya as they are being mistaken for the African mercenaries employed by Muammar Gaddafi.

“There are reports that Sub-Saharan Africans are being indiscriminately stabbed and killed with knives and machetes in the city of Benghazi. We have information that at least two Eritreans were killed and several others were stabbed and injured,” says an open letter to the international community signed by Goitom Yosief Asmelash, spokesman for the Eritrean Community in Malta.

The letter was presented at a demonstration outside the law courts in Valletta where more than 70 people called on the international community to help evacuate asylum seekers who would have fled their country of origin and were now stranded in Libya amid the unrest.

So far, Eritreans in Malta have had reports that from 2,000 estimated compatriots living in Tripoli, 16 had been kidnapped.

The letter encourages em-bassies and diplomatic representatives in Malta to encourage their countries to provide protection to Eritrean asylum seekers in Libya who are manifestly in danger and for the Maltese government to accept to shelter some of the asylum seekers, particularly those with spouses or relatives here and to assist in the evacuation of the refugees.

The community, however, specified it was not expecting Malta to host the bulk of the refugees.

The UN High Commission for Refugees also called for “all neighbouring states to keep their borders open to individuals escaping the turmoil in Libya”.

The UNHCR representative to Malta, Jon Hoisaeter said: “It is time for humanitarian action and international solidarity with those who need it the most. The people who remain trapped in Libya without any support from any government must not be forgotten. Evacuation can save lives.”

The situation for asylum seekers in Libya was always difficult, with various reports by human rights watchdogs of torture. Now, however, it is worse, as it is being reported that even Libyan civilians have turned against Sub-Saharan asylum seekers mistaking them for mercenaries hired by the Libyan regime.

Harrowing stories from the Lybian capital

Yrgalem Yamani, 25, has her husband Hury Afwerki trapped in Tripoli. Speaking through an interpreter, she said the last time they spoke he had spent 12 days locked in a room without food and water. When some of his housemates tried leaving their place, they were attacked and some have not appeared since.

“Before it wasn’t safe – now it’s even worse,” Ms Yamani said.

Among the demonstrators in Valletta yesterday were also Somali immigrants and Maltese people, including politicians and priests.

Eritreans are being highlighted in particular as these have sought refuge in the Catholic Church in Tripoli.

Fr Daniel Farrugia, the parish priest of Maltese Catholics in Tripoli, said Italy had accepted to take 54 people but, although they were expected to leave on Monday, and then Tuesday, they have not yet left. He said the situation was becoming increasingly dire and the Church had to provide food and basic needs for many of the refugees.

While the rest of the world was evacuating its citizens because of the violence, these refugees were being ignored, he noted.

“The UNHCR recognises that these are refugees. They cannot return to their country.” He said Europe should send boats to evacuate them as soon as possible and, in the meantime, send the necessary aid to help them with food and medicines.

Fr Farrugia appealed for Canada to intervene, as the country used to welcome Eritreans with openarms.

“They know they are quiet and religious people who are not a burden to society.”

So far, the 2,000 refugees in Tripoli live in rooms rented from Libyans but many cannot even afford the rent.

Fr Farrugia said no response had yet been received from Malta but admitted it would be difficult for the country to help since its policy was to seek EU assistance.

He added that, since the UNHCR did not have an office in Libya anymore, it was impossible for them to get updated travel documents or sponsorships from other countries.