Call for Protection of Sudanese Journalists Stranded in Libya

Moatinoon
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has expressed deep concern over the situation facing Sudanese journalists residing or stranded in Libya, citing growing security and humanitarian risks affecting them and their families.

In a statement, the syndicate said it had recently received appeals and firsthand testimonies from several Sudanese journalists living in Libya, describing increasing harassment, discriminatory treatment, and threats to their personal safety and the wellbeing of their families.

According to the syndicate, these accounts reflect a growing climate of fear and insecurity among Sudanese journalists who have found themselves trapped between the ongoing war in Sudan and the mounting challenges facing foreign nationals in Libya.

The syndicate highlighted the testimony of a Sudanese journalist working for a Sudanese media outlet who reported that he and his family had been subjected to degrading treatment and direct threats, forcing them to leave their area of residence urgently out of concern for the safety of their children and relatives.

It said the incident represents a broader pattern of humanitarian hardship and increasing risks faced by a number of Sudanese journalists currently living in Libya.

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate expressed its full solidarity with journalists stranded in Libya and their families, stressing that journalists who were forced to leave Sudan because of war or their professional activities should not be exposed to further dangers or violations in their countries of refuge or residence.

The syndicate called on international and regional organizations concerned with press freedom, journalist protection, and human rights to take urgent action by conducting an independent and comprehensive assessment of the situation of Sudanese journalists in Libya and by establishing emergency protection mechanisms for journalists and their families, particularly those at greatest risk.

It also urged the provision of legal, humanitarian, and psychological support for affected journalists, as well as consideration of humanitarian evacuation, resettlement, or safe relocation options for critical cases.

The syndicate further called for enhanced coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure that journalists rights are respected and that they are protected from discrimination, harassment, or other violations that threaten their safety.

Warning that continued inaction could place the lives of Sudanese journalists and their families at serious risk, the syndicate stressed the need for a swift and effective response from the international community and organizations dedicated to protecting journalists and defending freedom of expression.

The organization also appealed to the Libyan authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Sudanese journalists residing in Libya and their families and to uphold the rule of law in a manner that protects the dignity and fundamental rights of all residents.

It urged Libyan authorities to address the situation of Sudanese nationals in Libya, including journalists, in accordance with humanitarian principles and relevant legal obligations, ensuring that they are not subjected to violence, harassment, or coercion and that they receive the protection they need under the exceptional circumstances facing Sudan.

The syndicate concluded by expressing appreciation for the longstanding historical ties between the Sudanese and Libyan peoples and voiced hope that Libyan authorities, national institutions, and civil society organizations would contribute to protecting Sudanese citizens affected by the war and support them during these difficult humanitarian circumstances.