African refugees in Libya face prejduice

Tens of thousands of African migrants in Libya have been displaced by the violence there, human rights organizations say. Many of the displaced migrants have taken refuge in shelters and are refusing to return home, concerned for their safety.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (Catholic Online) - Estimates say the number of migrant workers in Libya was around 1 million when the fighting started in Libya. The great majority of those people have fled the country, but officials estimate that as many as 100,000 remain. Many of them have been targeted by anti-Gaddafi rebels who feel the migrants were either active supporters brought in by the regime, or at least loyalist sympathizers.
 
Many complain their homes have been raided by rebels and all their valuables stolen. It has been acknowledged that Gaddafi employed hundreds of outside mercenaries to fight alongside his army but there is little evidence to support the assertion that the migrant population is sympathetic towards the Gaddafi regime. Still, rebel veterans commonly regard outsiders as mercenaries and threaten them with violence. As law and order remain weak, the refugees remain fearful.

Gaddafi did have a strong relationship with several African states, a relationship that has resulted in offers of asylum and accusations from National Transitional Council leadership. Gaddafi actively assisted other sub-Saharan countries by sending financial aid and inviting people from those countries to live and work in Libya.
 
Critics of Gaddafi's policy said it was only to curry favor with other countries so he could someday be the leader of a Pan-African union. He also worked these connections to get military support as his regime crumbled.

Accused of being mercenaries, African refugees in Libya are worried about their safety and security. They say they are being treated with suspicion wherever they go. An additional complication are the living conditions in Libva. Damaged infrastructure and a lack of government control and resources plagues everyone, and perhaps nowhere is this felt so badly as in the refugee camps.
 
Although the fighting for the most part has ended, migrants are still refusing to leave the camps and return home. Until they are assured of their safety, they will likely remain, suffering from the deteriorating conditions and the uncertainty of their future.

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