Rebel forces and armed civilians are rounding up thousands of black Libyans and migrants from sub-Sahara Africa, imprisoning them in makeshift jails across the capital and accusing them of being mercenaries for Moammar Gadhafi.
As the rebels and their Transitional National Council (TNC) struggle to maintain credibility in a post-Gadhafi Libya, they have been targeting black Africans for weeks now. The United Nations warned about mass arrests, beatings, and revenge-killings against the suspected mercenaries, and the African Union this week refused to recognize the TNC as the legitimate governing authority in Libya on the grounds that their treatment of the black Africans was a human rights violation.
Virtually all of the detainees say they are innocent migrant workers, and in the vast majority of cases there has been no evidence to suggest otherwise. Aladdin Mabrouk, a spokesman for Tripoli’s military council, said no one knows how many people have been detained in the city, but he guessed more than 5,000.
Despite promises from the TNC that human rights will be observed and respected, Associated Press reporters saw rebel forces in the Khallat al-Firjan neighborhood in south Tripoli punching a dozen black men before determining they were innocent migrant workers and releasing them.
At the Gate of the Sea sports club, a soccer stadium where about 200 detainees — all black — have been confined, detainees crowded against the high walls to avoid the hot sun in the roofless stadium.
One prisoner, Ahmed Ali, had burns across his face, neck, and arm. He said he had come from Chad two years ago to work. “When the rebels entered Tripoli, some guys came and burned down my house,” he said. “They brought me here,” he said, adding that he’d received no medical care in the six days since his arrest.
“The danger is that there is no oversight by any authorities, and the people who are carrying out the arrests — more like abductions — are not trained to respect human rights,” said Diana Eltahawy of Amnesty International. “They are people who carry a lot of anger against people they believe committed atrocities.”
Now watch them all try to get into Europe and onto welfare.
This racist notion that any foreigner who immigrates or seeks refuge in a western country will immediately "go on welfare" needs to stop.
Uneducated fools like you seem unable to comprehend the fact that by definition a migrant worker is someone who is capable and willing to work.
Did you think that scum like you invented work ethics? Where you under the false impression that people the world over survived for thousands of years by living on welfare?
Incidentally, an acquaintance of mine who works in the US health system, tells me that he comes across a lot of white and Christian welfare recipients who are fully capable — both mentally and physically — of working, but instead choose to sponge off of society.
I suppose that's A O.K because the lazy bastards are both white and Christian, so it doesn't bother you, racist.
And, if after this article all you could muster was the racist accusation that these black African migrant workers were going to end up on welfare, then there is something truly missing in your brain.
I just won the argument since you called me a "racist".
He did not just call you racist. He called you a racist and supported his accusation with logical arguments. Not all persons who immigrate to Europe or the United States go on welfare. Migrant worker are by definition persons who are willing and able to work. I do not believe in throwing around the term racist or anti-semite lightly. In your case, however, I think the term racist is perfectly justified.
I'm willing to bet my ass that you're living on a trailer park and collecting welfare, Andy.
You can think whatever you want sir. It doesn't matter to me. But you didn't refute what I wrote.
Andy your type of character are the ones that has ruined our humanity. You feel you won a debate about innocent people being targeted and executed extra judicially because you want to prevent them from coming to Europe for welfare. Put the other way round , wont it be justifiable for Al Queda to procure nuclear bomb from North Korea or Iran and sink the entire US and Europe because they feel threatened by your civilization..Idiot
Does one need to refute the hateful rants of a racist? They speak for themselves, Sir.
Quit feeding the troll.
Well Andy, since the CIA and European Government agencies policies are to meddle in the affairs of these countries,what do you expect?
Let people fix their own country and no one would come to the US or Europe. It also makes it easier for special folks such as yourself to not have to go to these countries and rape and abuse the women since you would have them nearer to you.
Ethnic cleansing! Get your ethnic cleansing while it's hot. Hmmm, wonder how Juan Cole is gonna spin the fact that Obama supports racial cleansing.
Oh but didn't Mr. Cole say everthing was going to be hunky dory because the Gadaffi regime had no support and the Rebles were just the freedom loving people of Libya?
Wow! You guys are every bit as vicious and misguided as the right wingers. How sad!
said Diana Eltahawy of Amnesty International. “They are people who carry a lot of anger against people they believe committed atrocities.”
This is the kind of statement that makes me doubt anything that comes from Amnesty International. What is she taling about? Isn't it clear to her what this is about? Have the lies been told so many times that even people who should know better believe them?
This is not about any belief about atrocities. We might buy that, but the people in Libya know it's just propaganda and spin. They live there so they know. They also know that this is about kicking out or killing off the dark skinned Libyans or foreigners.
There are some good independent journalist that are reporting from Libya. Here is one that everyone should watch, although he has just left the country. I have been following him for the last couple of months.
As if AI were occupying some kind of moral heights. They have always been scum.
This is what she's talking about:
'Libya hires African mercenaries'
Libya has hired foreign mercenaries from French speaking African countries as crackdown on pro-democracy protesters has intensified, witnesses say.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166497.html
Report: Israel company recruiting Gadhafi mercenaries
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=3…
Gaddafi amasses army of African mercenaries
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/03/03/1400…
Also, go on the Al Jazeera Libya blog (the early days) and you'll see them with machine-guns mounted on jeeps, cruising thru the streets of Tripoli shooting at the crowds of peaceful protesters.
So, all in all, I think the lady knows what she's talking about. You? Well, not so much. Now, go ahead and shoot me for showing what your hero Qaddafi was really doing to his people.
You use the same tired old concepts as the MSM. I do not support Gadaffi. Your assumption that I do is simply wrong. It's this type of black or white thinking that is the problem.
I don't have to support the "rebels" to love freedom. I don't have to support the "rebels" to realize that Gadaffi is also a problem. In fact I don't have to take any side at all. I just need to be honest with myself and admit that this is not a humanitarian mission. Will you do the same?
I won't shoot you for showing me something I already know. However, I will try and show you just how wrong your statement and your position is.
Already then. Press on! Denial is an Amerikan's best friend.
I wonder if the USG and NATO are going to assume a portion of the responsiblity for the torture and unlawful detention of Black Libyans and Africans? It was only with the support of the USG and NATO that the TNC was able to come to power. And now, even with full knowledge of how the TNC is treating dark skinned people, NATO and the USG are still supporting the TNC. I do not think I will hold my breath waiting for such an assumption of responsiblity.
A better question would be, is the USG and NATO going to assume a portion of the responsibility for the killings of civilians perpetrated by black African mercenaries hired by Qaddafi with Israel's help. Oops! Did I say anything wrong by any chance?
You do know that the Rebels are executing Black Libyans and Africans, some of them while they were in the hospital or while they were handcuffed. You can excuse that behavior if you choose to, I don't. I also don't excuse Gadaffi for the wrongs he has commited. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself that I do.
"You do know that the Rebels are executing Black Libyans and Africans…"
What was that you said about the MSM? Lemme see if I can find it. Oh, yes, here it is (direct quote) "You use the same tired old concepts as the MSM."
So, you do know Brad, that Qaddafi hired and paid for black mercenaries to slaughter unarmed Libyans who were peacefully protesting, right? You do know? Of course, knowing that, you would understand why they are doing that (I'm saying that you approve or condone it but try to understand it), correct? So, apparently, you pick and choose which bits to get from the MSM and which ones to reject and the rationale is, of course, your own bias in the matter. Not that this is a black and matter or anything.
Actually I know no such thing, but you once again are assuming that I support one side or the other when in fact I don't. You should stop putting words in my mouth.
In other words, it's not okay for me to "assume" but it is for you. Roger. I got that.
Well well well…. Haven't heard Obama harping on this. Guess they're not the right "victims" in expecting our glorious Luftwaffe to come to their rescue.
More proof that diversity never works.
What proof do you have or are you just making a statement for the hell of it ?
As has been stated above it is ethnic cleansing that is going on. The black africans standout amongst the lighter skinned tribes so are the easy, and only the first to fall under the hammer. Once the "rebels' have vented their racist emotions, they will surely turn their designs on the tribes loyal to Gaddafi's family and regime – much like what the US/British forces oversaw in Iraq when the now reigning Shiites "rounded up the Sunnis" – you know, ethnic cleansing.
I wouldn't expect to hear much of anything in the way of a rebuke with teeth from Obama and this Congress. Wouldn't want to stifle the move away from Gaddafi towards…what? The clowns here will close their eyes, mutter vague platitudes about being nice – and send them more of our money.
How/why do you conclude (from what?) that there is simply "ethnic cleansing" going on. There is one going on in Israel, and we know why, but it seems you aren't seeing beyond skin color here.
Better be careful. The lefties here don't like anybody finding fault with their hero Qaddafi. In fact, they're willing to ethnic cleanse you in order to show you that you're wrong. Don't ever say you weren't warned. 🙂
Again with the black and white thinking. Your assumption that Gadaffi is anyone's hero is wrong. Your assumption that everyone who refuses to back the "rebels" are Lefties might be the most rediculous statement ever. The fact is that the Left has been supporting the "rebels" far more so than the right. But on a bigger note, anti-war people have left the Left/Right BS behind. I suggest you try it as well. It would really help you understand were we are coming from.
Well, Brad, you are yet to show me wrong. But go ahead, keep spewing little corny phrases like black and white, MSM, etc. obviously, they satisfied your intellectual dishonesty and that's all that matters.
Talk about 'rediculous' – he he he…
Nothing you wrote makes any sense in regards to my comment. You replace insults with arguements and assume to know the minds of others.
Epic Fail.
Of course not. None is so blind as he who doesn't want to see. And I wouldn't expect you to disagree with your own assumptions and positions.
I'm no 'leftie' and Ghadhafi certainly isn't my 'hero', but I have to wonder: is Libya better off under 'Rebel' rule than it was under Gadhafi? WILL Libya be better off with the 'Rebels' in control, considering their various unsavory accomplices pulling the strings behind the scenes?
My view is, after seeing the mess these 'Rebels' have made of the country- and the West (read: US) taking complete advantage of the situation- I'm wondering if Libya will EVER recover and regain even a fraction of what prosperity it enjoyed under Gadhafi's rule. Was his rule harsh, and sometimes brutal? Yes, of course it was. Would you like to enjoy the kind of social and economic benefits he was able to sometimes provide to his people? You bet you would.
The moral of the story is:
Gadhafi = a known quantity, someone we knew was a rough character but we could deal with him.
Rebels = we have no clue what sort of Libya will come out of this mess at their hands, and the new regime may very well be hostile to Western (read: US) interests.
John, when you say "Gadhafi = a known quantity, someone we knew was a rough character but we could deal with him." who is the "we" you speak of? "We" the lefties? "We" the West? "We" Americans? "We" the USG? Or "WE" the Libyans?
That would be 'we' the USG and/or other assorted Western governments.
'Lefties' and the standard issue American Citizen don't factor into the equation since neither of those deal directly with the man in question- governments do. Neither does 'we' refer to the Libyan people in this case, since I am neither Libyan nor a designated spokesman for them.
I see. I think…
First, I never said "simply" – I stated that it is going on. And it is my opinion…hopefully I'm still allowed to make and state my own opinions here. Perhaps "ethnic cleansing" is not exactly by definition what is going on. But, blacks are being targeted, and intimidated, and beaten – the message is clear. They are not wanted there. Call it what you will.
Second, the point of the article these comments are supposed to be based upon was in direct reference to the treatment of the black africans by the rebels. Thus my comments about black africans. What is going on in Israel is not relevant to this article.
And 3rd, I did state, clearly I thought, that this would only be the beginning and that the other Libyan tribes that were aligned with Gaddafi would eventually come under the eye of those perpetrating the "ethnic cleansing" – call it what you will.
So Sparky, I have nothing against anyone questioning what I say but if you're going to attempt to school me, please make the effort to be precise. I normally don't respond to comments of this sort but your message was taken as a bit of a personal attack and since you don't know me from Adam, uncalled for.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm convinced. Of course, you're right. You lefties are always right. Just like the righties, they too are always right.
As for the "I stated that it is going on. And it is my opinion…hopefully I'm still allowed to make and state my own opinions here." – please, gag me with a spoon! Not only is that old, tired and disingenuous but you're trying to do the same exact opposite of that which you preach. Rebutting to someone's opinion means just that, a rebuttal. And just the same way that you are entitled to issue your opinions, someone else is entitled to rebut it if they feel like it. Can you get that?
This is no ethnic cleansing by any stretch of the imagination. It can't be an ethnic cleansing as these are not native Libyans, but instead are MIGRANT workers. If you want to label this an "ethnic cleansing", then you should label ICE's and Homeland Security's raids and mass roundups "extermination camps".
The knee-jerk reactionary behavior of the armed Libyan rebels needs to be kept in check and NATO should cut all military assistance. These armed rebels will soon likely attack unarmed Libyans, as well. And the country will certainly end up mired in another military dictatorship.
At this stage, the Libyan rebels are hand in glove with the US and NATO as the US seeks to install in place a regime friendly to Washington. That's why NATO helped them and that's why the US supplied them with arms. It wasn't out of the benevolence of the White House or the Pentagon that it did this.
You are simply wrong. There are many Black Libyans who are being targeted as well.
Nato is the only reason the "rebels" are in a position to do what they have done. You can believe it or not, but this is a NATO war with a very limited support in the form of ground troops from the "rebels". They could not advance 10 feet without NATO and everyone knows this.
I will agree with your last paragraph.
" You are simply wrong. There are many Black Libyans who are being targeted as well. "
How exactly do you know this, Brad? Have you been in Libya? Have you seen this happen? Or are you gasp! repeating MSM reports?
Go do some research and then get back to me.
In other words, you don't know jack and are simply repeating what the leftist have to say. After you apply a careful filter which tilts in the direction of what you want to believe. Just as I though.
Did the Libyan "rebels" get this idea of beating up on black Africans from their European liberators (Italy and France)? No reason to expect US criticism of this kind of roundup, either, since the oil will soon flow.
Neither ethnic cleansing nor slavery in Africa began with Europeans. It was home grown long before.
Naw, I think they got that idea from the fact that they were mercenaries paid by Qaddafi to shoot them. Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course, since such behavior is only abominable when NATO/US engage in it. It's okay for Qaddafi to do it because, after all, he gave his people free education, healthcare and housing.
Are you sayng you support, burning down the houses of Black Libyans, handcuffing them and shooting them in the back of the head?
No more than you claim not to support Qaddafi. See, Brad, how what's good for the goose is good for the gander too?
Exactly you don't like your own insulting tactics shoved back at you. So now perhaps you will admit you are wrong?
As I said, you don't like your own insulting tactics showed back at you. So now perhaps you will admit you are wrong?
Naaaaaaaaw…there's no sense in hoping. Look at where that got us the last time. He he he…
of interest:
"The US demands that Israel-funded African Mercenaries be granted Immunity from War Crimes"
http://my.firedoglake.com/marsdragon/2011/03/04/t…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaa…
Congratulations to President Obama for violently spreading peace, understanding and tolerance to Africa. The Peace President — the joke is on the world.
The fact that it was black Africans who were taking the two or three thousand dollars that Qaddafi was paying them to shoot Libyans at point blank may or may not have something to do with it. Oh, yeah, and our only friend and ally in the ME ™ is rumored to have been the one recruiting said black African mercenaries from Chad, Algeria and other neighboring countries. We all know how kind they are and always willing to broker peace in the world.
I see so you are saying that it's ok to burn people out of their houses and shoot them after they have been handcuffed. I get it now it's all about protecting civilians.
No, Brad, YOU are saying that not me! Up above, you jumped on my throat like a rabid dog because I corrected you when you were implying that you were in support on Qaddafi. Now, you are doing exactly the same thing to me as you decried and chastised me for doing to you. Hypocrite and misguided much, Brad?
If you don't understand that I was simply applying your own logic to your comment you missed the point.
Yes, Brad, I understand. You are brilliant. Einstein has nothing on you. Oh, and honest too, of course.
could somebody moderate 'thedissenter'? All he's doing is troll responding with brainless garbage
Sure, sure, didi. Go ahead, "moderate me" baby. Let's make sure that anyone who doesn't speak leftie and adhere to your support of tyranny is quashed. Heavens! We wouldn't want anybody showing you for the hypocrites that you are, right bibi?
Ooooh, big words like "brainless garbage" will get you anything and everywhere, bibi. What a smart girl. Whatsamatta, tootsie, afraid that you may have to think for once in your life instead of repeating the old tired and hypocritical screwing for virginity canard of the left?
Who knew the KKK would find it's wildest fantasies being fulfilled by Libyans?
Somebody always has to be The Bad Guy, and sadly this time it's been ordained that blacks in Libya fit the bill, regardless of their reason for being there. Sadly, just as in Rwanda and Somalia, the US will step out of the way and let it happen because, you know, they're just not the right color.
However, I do have to point out something to the original poster, "andy" – regardless of their eventual fate, those blacks in Libya were there FOR A REASON, and guess what? That reason was so they could FIND WORK. That's right- field hand or mercenary, they were LOOKING FOR A JOB when they got there, not looking for handouts. Pull a plow or pull a trigger and give an honest days' work- either way, you're feeding your family. Just be glad those aren't YOUR only options.
This is the true face of Neo-Liberal Progressive Politics. Say one thing, do another. They'll treat this just as they do each and every single time their theories of peace built by violence come to the same sad conclusion. With a blind eye, and a deaf ear.
NATO is not better. They provided their PUNISHMENT BOMBING in the Black Libyan Town of Tawerga watch?v=15Eds2B6HlU44