Crisis of Darfur Refugees in Libya

October 19, 2005

Sudanese refugees in Libya have sent urgent pleas to the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy. Because of the common border with Sudan, thousands of refugees, especially those fleeing persecution in Darfur, have fled to Libya. Instead of being welcomed as political refugees, the Darfurians now face arbitrary arrest, beatings, and economic exploitation at the hands of the Libyan government and some citizens.

On October 13, 2005, Damanga was contacted by three Darfurian refugees in Libya who spoke of the deteriorating conditions. They are afraid to move from town to town because of the possibility that the police will arbitrarily detain them. Hundreds of Darfurian refugees are suffering in Libyan prisons, especially the overcrowded Kofra and Bengahzy jails. For the crime of being a refugee they face indefinite detention with no hope of a trial or even seeing a lawyer. Damanga sources report that Sudanese refugees have no rights, and that they, along with other black Africans, are victims of widespread discrimination and prejudice from the Arab majority.

With no assistance from the Libyan government or the international community, the Darfurian refugees are struggling to find menial jobs. They are living with 20 people in a room paid for by the one or two people with jobs. Many workers have attempted to work on farms in surrounding villages, and after backbreaking work are often denied compensation. They have no recourse because if they complain they will be beaten or detained by the Libyan security services.

Those that are able to work and save money often attempt to escape to Europe by boat. Damanga contacts report that the going rate to be smuggled to Europe is $1500. For this price they get a spot on a small and severely overcrowded boat, that often becomes a death trap. Damanga has received reports of at least three boats with Sudanese refugees sinking this year. Dozens of Darfurians have perished. We are attempting to collect the names of all of the victims, and the following is a list of the first twelve that we have been able to record.

1. Abdallah Ismael Yagoub
2. Adam Ahmed Adam
3. Hassan Arbab Fatur
4. Ismael Mohamed Adam
5. Mustafa Abkar Adam
6. Abdallah Khamis Ibrahim
7. Mohamed Abdul Rahim
8. Fudol Abdul Karim Hassan
9. Mohadmed Abdallah Adam
10. Arbab Harolun Abdul-Rahman
11. Abdallah Abderhaman Ali
12. Abdu Elnaisr Bilal Isheg

The effort to collect the names of the dead is complicated by the fact that the Libyan government refuses to acknowledge the problem. They will not allow family members to view the bodies of the deceased, and they will not announce the names of those that have been recovered.

President Qadaffi has made statements claiming to be a leader for all of Africa, and yet his government represses the continent’s most desperate citizens. If Qadaffi desires to be a leader for all Africans then he must assist the black Africans who have sought shelter within his borders.

Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy urges the U.S. and leaders in Europe and Africa to raise the issue and pressure Qadaffi to stop oppressing Darfur refugees and violating international law by denying them their rights. We urge the United Nations to take action to ensure the safety and security of Darfurians in Libya. We plead with the Libyan government to show compassion for its neighbors, and to treat the Darfurians as refugees with rights, especially to work, instead of as criminals.