UNHCR: Pro-Regime Fighters Limit Libya-Tunisia Border Crossings

By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Civilians crossing the Libya-Tunisia border. (Photo courtesy of Sky News).
Civilians crossing the Libya-Tunisia border. (Photo courtesy of Sky News).

GENEVA, Switzerland – According to the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the number of civilians crossing the border from Libya to Tunisia has dropped dramatically since Wednesday March 2. The UNHCR suspects that refugees trying to flee the violence in Libya are either being harassed or prevented entirely from crossing into Tunisia by heavily armed pro-government mercenaries loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi. In response to continuing violence in Libya, several nations have mobilized aircraft and naval assets to assist in evacuating refugees and to support a humanitarian mission in both Tunisia and Libya.

The UNHCR claims that on Wednesday, March 2 as many as 10,000 to 15,000 people were crossing the border between Egypt and Libya. However by Thursday, March 3, the number had dropped to 2,000 people. Civilians that have made it across the border claim mercenaries robbed them of their mobile phones, laptops, cameras and money. Along with their valuables being stolen, the UNHCR claims that those who did cross the border appeared frightened and did not want to speak with U.N. representatives. Additionally, there has been claims that government forces have been confiscating electronics equipment like cameras so images of the violent clashes between rebels and pro-government forces cannot reach the outside world.

On Friday, the United Nations estimated that nearly 200,000 people have already fled the fighting in Libya. As the violence continues, several nations have committed airplanes and naval vessels to help evacuate stranded migrants and provide humanitarian supplies to the civilians massing at the Libya-Tunisia border. The United States has dispatched two planes to this border area to deliver humanitarian supplies such as water, blankets, and plastic sheets. A Pentagon spokesman claims that after the humanitarian supplies are delivered, the aircraft will be used to shuttle migrants from Tunisia to Egypt.

European nations are also taking an active role in helping to ferry migrants and deliver badly needed supplies. The French government has sent several planes to the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to pick up refugees and transport them to Egypt. Furthermore, the Italian government has sent aircraft and was planning to send a cargo ship full of supplies to the rebel controlled city of Benghazi.

According to United Nations spokesperson, Valorie Amos, food and supply lines are going to become more stressed as the conflict drags on. In particular, she claims that in rebel controlled regions food, medicine, and fuel supplies will begin run out in less than 15 days.

For more information, please see:

AFP — Pro-regime forces man Libyan-Tunisia border: UNHCR – 4 March 2011

Al Masry AlYoum —UNHCR fears civilians may be prevented from fleeing Libya – 4 March 2011

UN News Centre — UN refugee agency ‘very concerned’ civilians being prevented from fleeing Libya – 4 March 2011

Wall Street Journal – Libyan Evacuations Slow, Raising U.N. Fears—5March 2011

Author: Impunity Watch Archive