Racism in Libya

Libya is a predominantly Arab country with a large Berber minority that has traditionally held racist views towards black-skinned, sub-Saharan Africans. The New York Times describes Libya as having a "long history of racist violence."[1]

In the 21st century, significant numbers of sub-Saharan Africans came to Libya, primarily to work as unskilled labor. Many of these were rounded up during the Libyan Civil War and accused of being "mercenaries" in the pay of Muammar Gaddafi.[1][2]

According to Peter Bouckaert of Human Rights Watch, the detentions reflect "“a deep-seated racism and anti-African sentiment in Libyan society.”[1]

The clashes between Misrata and the black-majority town of Tawergha had some racist overtones, present before the start of the civil war. Rebel slogans like "the brigade for purging slaves, black skin" were scrawled on the road between Misrata and Tawregha.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Libyans Turn Wrath on Dark-Skinned Migrants". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  2. ↑ "Libya's spectacular revolution has been disgraced by racism | Richard Seymour | Comment is free". The Guardian. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  3. ↑ "Libya City Torn by Tribal Feud". The Wall street journal.
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