Khartoum, June 04 (Darfur24)
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has called on international and regional organizations concerned with press freedom and human rights to urgently intervene to protect Sudanese journalists stranded in Libya, citing growing reports of harassment, threats, and discriminatory practices that endanger them and their families.
The appeal comes as Libyan authorities have launched a large-scale campaign against migrants over the past two days, arresting around 1,400 people, including hundreds of Sudanese refugees, in Tobruk, Al-Butnan, and other cities before transferring them to detention centers operated by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency.
In a statement, the syndicate said it was closely monitoring the situation of Sudanese journalists living in Libya amid what it described as escalating security and humanitarian risks. It noted that it had received direct appeals from journalists reporting increasing harassment and instability.
The union cited testimony from a Sudanese journalist working for a Sudanese media outlet who said he was forced to leave his residence urgently after he and his family were subjected to humiliating treatment and direct threats, prompting fears for the safety of his children and relatives.
The statement was issued as demonstrations were held on Thursday outside the headquarters of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the Al-Sarraj district of Tripoli and in public squares across several Libyan cities, protesting the presence of foreign migrants in the country.
The syndicate expressed solidarity with Sudanese journalists in Libya and their families, stressing that media workers who fled Sudan because of the war or their professional activities should not face additional risks in countries where they have sought refuge.
It called on international organizations to conduct an independent assessment of the situation facing Sudanese journalists in Libya, establish urgent protection mechanisms, and provide legal, humanitarian, and psychological support. The syndicate also urged consideration of humanitarian evacuation or resettlement options for the most vulnerable cases.
The union appealed to Libyan authorities to ensure the safety of Sudanese journalists and their family members and to apply the law in a manner that respects their dignity and fundamental rights. It further called for the treatment of Sudanese nationals in Libya in accordance with humanitarian principles and international legal obligations.
The statement warned that failure to address the situation could expose Sudanese journalists and their families to serious risks and urged international organizations dedicated to protecting journalists to act swiftly.
The syndicate concluded by highlighting the longstanding ties between the Sudanese and Libyan peoples and expressed hope that Libyan authorities and civil society organizations would help support Sudanese displaced by the war and provide them with necessary protection.
According to the latest figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Libya hosts approximately 500,000 Sudanese refugees, including 193,000 in Al-Kufra near the Sudanese border, 80,000 in Tripoli, and around 10,000 in Benghazi.