Libyan British Business Forum to be held in London on June 22

Refugees in Libya condemns dehumanization campaign against migrants and asylum seekers

The NGO Refugees in Libya, based in Bologna, Italy, has strongly condemned what it describes as a growing campaign of dehumanization targeting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Libya. The organization, which identifies as a self-organized refugee movement, exposes abuses in Libya, Tunisia, and Niger, documenting torture, detention, and border violence. It demands accountability from the UNHCR and the EU, advocating for dignity, justice, and refugee-led protection. The NGO highlighted that recent announcements in Libya concerning irregular migrants and refugees not only threaten mass evictions but also use language that labels people as “infiltrators” rather than individuals, workers, families, or human beings. This language, it argues, prepares the ground for discrimination, exclusion, and violence. Refugees in Libya questioned where these individuals, many of whom have fled war, persecution, conflict, and humanitarian catastrophe, are expected to go. It noted that stripping them of shelter without providing protection, safe pathways, or humanitarian alternatives does not solve the problem. The NGO also criticized the increasing portrayal of Black Africans as a demographic or security threat, calling such narratives deeply irresponsible as they fuel hostility and legitimize abuse. Refugees in Libya urged Libyan authorities, international institutions, and political leaders to reject hateful language and collective punishment, asserting that no human being is illegal o