Libyan Christian clergy seek help for stranded migrants

Libyan Christian clergy have appealed for urgent help for Eritrean refugees who have taken shelter in a church in Tripoli, following days of violent anti-government protests.

“We are mainly worried for hundreds of Eritreans who are stranded here and no one cares for their evacuation,” The Rev. Daniel Furrugia, Vicar General of the Vicariate of Tripoli told ENInews on February 28, as the protests against the government of Moammar Gadhafi entered the 13th day.

“Bishop (Giovanni) Martinelli (the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tripoli) made an appeal to all to help these people. Only Italy is trying to take a small number of 54,” Mr Gadhafi’s brutal suppression of civilian demonstrators has received wide global condemnation by governments and world leaders, with the UN Security Council imposing sanctions against the Libyan authorities, imposing an arms embargo and freezing the assets of its leaders. It also referred the ongoing repression to the International Criminal Court. The UN estimates that more than 100 people have died in the clashes.

The clergy said the unrest has kept people away from church services. “This morning we had 10 am and 12 am Mass,” said Mr Furrugia.

“The attendance was less than usual, but the church was full of Eritreans full of hope to leave this country.”

Since February 16, a group of around 40 families of Eritrean refugees, including children, have been stranded in an area close to Tripoli Airport with no means of evacuation, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The organisation said there were other African refugees who have taken refuge in the Catholic Church in Tripoli who needed help.

Mr Furrugia said there was some normality in the city during the day, with shops opening, traffic starting to flow and people queuing in all the banks. “In the evenings, there is a strange silence all around and no sign of protest,” he said.

Last week, Bishop Martinelli approached Libyan Muslims to ask for the protection of Christians during the unrest. He was reported in the press as saying the attempt to end protests had been very strong, and the blood that ran there on the streets of Libya impeded a general reconciliation.

“We entered into contact with the Red Crescent and other Muslim organisations to appeal for protection of the churches, of the convents, of our faithful and of the sisters who work in the hospitals,” he said. He had also spoken of the people’s desire for more democracy and young people’s hopes for a better life.

There are about 80,000 Christians in Libya. The Christians come from Asia, Africa and Europe, and belong to the Catholic, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and some Pentecostal churches.

Fredrick Nzwili, ENI