Libyan :Libyan rebels killing Nigerians,And other black Africans

Reports out of Libya say that rebels of the National Transition Council are killing black Africans

Daily Telegraph reports that the victims include Nigerians, black Libyans and other citizens of sub-Saharan African.

It was said that no fewer than 20 black men were found dead outside Col Gaddafi’s compound after Libyan rebels captured Tripoli. Their hands were tied behind their backs and some of them had been shot in the head. 

On the road south out of Tripoli, about 200 black people were also said to be hiding in a small encampment made of two small outbuildings shielded by a small wall and a metal door. Most of them were also Nigerians, some were Ghanaian. www.naijapaymentonline.com

Amnesty International said it was told that between one third and half of those detained were from sub-Saharan Africa.

“An Amnesty International delegation visiting the Central Tripoli Hospital witnessed three Thuwwar revolutionaries, as the opposition fighters are commonly known, dragging a black patient from the western town of Tawargha from his bed and detaining him.

“The Thuwwar said the man would be taken to Misrata for questioning. Two other black Libyans receiving treatment in the hospital for gunshot wounds were warned by the anti-Gaddafi forces that their turn was coming,” a statement by the group statement said.

Sydney Morning Herald reports that the ousted Libyan leader employed nationals from different Africans nations as part of a special protection force. 

Scores of black men were arrested during the battle for the Col Gaddafi stronghold of Abu Salim in Tripoli. According to reports, some migrants were said to be stranded near a seaside resort, others had fled the city. 

However, Associated Press reports that the African Union Chairman, Jean Ping said the Libyan rebels may be indiscriminately killing black people because they have confused innocent migrant workers with mercenaries.

‘’The National Transitional Council seems to confuse black people with mercenaries,’’ Ping, said.

He added that this could be a reason the African Union had not recognised the opposition forces as Libya’s interim government. “One third of the population is black. They are killing people, normal workers, mistreating them,’’ he said.

However, Amnesty official, Claudio Cordone was quoted as saying: “We have to fear for what may be happening to detainees out of the sight of independent observers. Many risk reprisals as a result of allegations that Gaddafi forces used African mercenaries during the conflict.

“Amnesty welcomed calls by the NTC for its supporters to treat captives with dignity and to avoid revenge attacks. But the council must do more to ensure that their fighters do not abuse detainees, especially the most vulnerable ones such as black Libyans and sub-Saharan Africans.

Also Ping urged the new government should say something to condemn the killings. He said, ‘’We want to see a signal that the African workers will be evacuated.’’

Richard Sollom, deputy director of Physicians for Human Rights, who completed a fact-finding mission in Misrata in June also said, “Fighters engaging in abuses should be immediately removed from active duty, pending investigation. All crimes, no matter who committed them, should be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.”

Sollom said his Boston group knew of about 500 Darfuris who are desperately trying to get out of Libya, adding, “They very much fear for their lives because of the colour of their skin.”