Tripoli, October 1 (Darfur24)
Dozens of Sudanese refugee journalists in Libya are facing increasing threats following widespread anti-foreigner protests that erupted across several Libyan cities last week, raising fears of arrests, attacks, and deportations.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate said 33 Sudanese journalists and their families currently live in Libya under refugee status, many in precarious conditions. Some have been attacked in their homes or on the streets in recent days.
Mass demonstrations were held last Friday in several cities, including Misrata, demanding the expulsion of foreigners. Protesters vandalized property, including the weekly Friday market for foreigners in Misrata, western Libya.
A Sudanese journalist, speaking to Darfur24 on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the situation has become “increasingly dangerous.” He fled Sudan with his family and registered with the UNHCR, hoping to receive protection.
However, Libyan authorities do not recognize UNHCR refugee cards, leaving refugees vulnerable to arrest at checkpoints. “My children were bullied at school last week. I had to withdraw them. I now avoid leaving home for fear of violence,” he said.
The Libyan Ministry of Interior announced that a field committee under the Sabratha Security Directorate carried out a major campaign on Sunday, arresting hundreds of undocumented migrants and taking legal action against property owners who sheltered them.
Iman Fadl El-Sayed, Secretary of Freedoms at the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, told Darfur24 that the situation for Sudanese journalists is “critical.” She said some are trapped in cities that witnessed recent violence and are unable to relocate. “They urgently need support to move to safer areas,” she said.
She added that the syndicate lacks resources to evacuate journalists and is working with international organizations, including the UNHCR, to secure protection and resettlement.
According to UNHCR figures released in September, Libya hosts about 357,000 Sudanese refugees. Approximately 193,000 are in Kufra on the Sudanese border, 80,000 in Tripoli, and 10,000 in Benghazi. Misrata hosts more than 7,000, while thousands more live in Zawiya, Al-Jafara, Derna, Tobruk, and Jebel Akhdar.