LIBYA / SOMALIS

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6 September 2011

The Transitional National Council of Libya released a group of 57 detained Somali refugees over the weekend and handed them over to the UN refugee agency. Singled out because the color of their skin and the fact that some Africans were hired as mercenaries by the old regime, they have been the victims of attacks across Libya. UNHCR

Description

STORY: LIBYA / SOMALIS
TRT: 2.23
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / ARABIC/ NATS

DATELINE: 4 SEPTEMBER 2011, TRIPOLI, LIBYA

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Shotlist

1.Pan right, Somali refugee looking through a barred window at a detention center
2.Pan left, Somali men sitting in the detention room
3.Close up, wounded Somali refugee
4.Med shot, UNHCR Senior protection officer Samuel Cheung talking to wounded Somali refugee
5.SOUNDBITE (English) Samuel Cheung, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer:
"We all recognize the problems that are facing the broader migrant population, who have been rounded up and detained. Many of them are residing in difficult situations and pockets throughout the city, among that group are refugees who are among the most vulnerable of this population. So we are very encouraged that this is a first step. We hope that this is a model that the NTC will follow elsewhere as they further recognize the needs of refugees, vulnerable populations and continue to work with UNHCR in their release".
6.Wide shot, Gambian and Senegalese detainees
7.SOUNDBITE (English) Lambuzang Kanteh, Gambian Refugee:
"Well, we are here almost five days now. On the first day they bring us here in the morning. They beat us, ask us: Are you involved in this war? We told them that no. We are not involved in this war. They beat us, they beat us, the same thing; we told them we are not involved in this war. We are here for work."
8.Pan right, refugees
9.SOUNDBITE (English) Othman Ibrahim Meligta, National Transitional Council (NTC) Military Commander:
"I want to assure our African brothers whether they were refugees or entered Libya illegally to work, we have formed committees for the security to check on those people who are workers either the private or otherwise to make sure they are protected in coordination with the United Nations or other relief agencies to find solutions for them."
10.Zoom in, UNHCR officers sign hand over documents for the release of 57 Somali refugees
11.Various shots, refugees leave the detention center and board buses.

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Storyline

Many Sub-Saharan Africans find themselves at risk in Libya these days. Singled out because the color of their skin and the fact that some Africans were hired as mercenaries by the old regime, they have been the victims of attacks across Libya.

Some have been arrested by the new authorities. These refugees from Somalia were being held in a detention center in Tripoli.

On Sunday (4 September) the new authorities in Libya handed over 57 Somalis to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in order to guarantee their security.

SOUNDBITE (English) Samuel Cheung, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer:
"We all recognize the problems that are facing the broader migrant population, who have been rounded up and detained. Many of them are residing in difficult situations and pockets throughout the city, among that group are refugees who are among the most vulnerable of this population. So we are very encouraged that this is a first step. We hope that this is a model that the NTC will follow elsewhere as they further recognize the needs of refugees, vulnerable populations and continue to work with UNHCR in their release".

Not everyone is being released. These migrant workers from Senegal and Gambia are being held in the former Petroleum Institute in Tripoli on suspicion of being mercenaries for the Qadhafi regime. They deny the accusations.

SOUNDBITE (English) Lambuzang Kanteh, Gambian Refugee:
"Well, we are here almost five days now. On the first day they bring us here in the morning. They beat us, ask us: Are you involved in this war? We told them that no. We are not involved in this war. They beat us, they beat us, the same thing; we told them we are not involved in this war. We are here for work."

A commander for new authorities assured protection for these refugees.

SOUNDBITE (English) Othman Ibrahim Meligta, National Transitional Council (NTC) Military Commander:
"I want to assure our African brothers whether they were refugees or entered Libya illegally to work, we have formed committees for the security to check on those people who are workers either the private or otherwise to make sure they are protected in coordination with the United Nations or other relief agencies to find solutions for them."

These are dangerous times for sub Saharan Africans in Libya. But the decision by the new authorities means that this group at least, is safe.

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