International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination[1]

“The ancient poison of racism is alive and kicking in every community, society, country and region of the world……The antidote is unity and action.”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Our organization marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on 21 March, in commemoration of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, where 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed while protesting apartheid pass laws. The United Nations General Assembly established this day as a global reminder of the urgent need to combat racism, uphold equality, and protect human dignity.

In his 2026 message, the UN Secretary-General stressed that racism continues to “poison the bloodstream of every society,” and that the legacies of colonialism, enslavement, and oppression persist in the form of structural inequalities, discriminatory policies, and the rise of hate speech amplified through digital platforms. He called for the full implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and for concrete action to dismantle systemic racism.

Libyan Context: Rising Discrimination and Hate Speech

Libya has witnessed a troubling rise in hate speech and discriminatory narratives targeting migrants and refugees, in a context marked by weak legal protections, limited accountability, and contradictory official messaging.

Social media platforms have become fertile ground for incitement[2], scapegoating migrants for economic and social challenges unrelated to their presence. Some public figures have used the hashtag “No to Naturalization” (#لا_للتوطين) to promote discriminatory narratives, including calls to ban migrants and refugees from celebrating holidays in public spaces. Such rhetoric violates international standards prohibiting incitement to hatred, discrimination, and violence.

Despite the Prime Minister’s public denial on 13 March 2025 of any “resettlement project” for migrants, the Acting Minister of Interior delivered a contradictory and inflammatory speech the same day[3], contributing to a hostile environment that increases the risk of abuses. On 19 March 2025, a security campaign in Misrata targeted residences housing migrants[4], without clear safeguards against discrimination or adherence to international standards on the use of force.

In another development concerning, the Tripoli Public Services Company reopened the Tripoli Zoo with discriminatory entry fees based on nationality—an unjustified practice that undermines the principle of equality before the law and disproportionately affects migrant and refugee communities.

Discrimination Against Stateless Persons and Documentation-Deprived Groups

Thousands of Libyans from the “Bedoon” community remain stateless and deprived of basic civil rights[5], in clear violation of Libya’s international obligations. This exclusion restricts access to essential services, including medical treatment abroad[6], where authorities require an “original stamped national number,” a document unavailable to children holding administrative numbers.

Children of Libyan women married to non-Libyans also face administrative barriers and discriminatory practices in accessing documentation[7], despite international human rights law prohibiting discrimination based on descent, national origin, or family status, and requiring gender equality in the transmission of nationality.

International Obligations: Clear Standards and Defined Responsibilities

Libya is a State Party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)[8], and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination[9] has repeatedly expressed concern[10], including in its 7 December 2017 statement[11], regarding discrimination, violence, and enslavement faced by migrants in Libya. Under ICERD, Libya is obligated to:

• Prevent incitement to hatred, discrimination, and violence.
• Ensure equal enjoyment of rights without discrimination based on race, colour, national or ethnic origin.
• Investigate violations and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Address structural causes of discrimination, including documentation barriers and administrative practices that produce discriminatory effects.

Our Calls

On this International Day, our organization urges Libyan authorities to:

• Adopt a comprehensive national policy to combat hate speech, including monitoring, documentation, accountability, and public awareness.
• Align national legislation with ICERD and implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
• Ensure protection of migrants and refugees from violence and prevent their targeting in security operations or political discourse.
• End administrative discrimination against stateless persons and children of Libyan women married to non-Libyans, ensuring their access to basic rights without delay.
• Review local policies that impose discriminatory fees or practices based on nationality or origin.
• Promote education and media initiatives to counter stereotypes and racism, particularly in digital spaces.

Combating racism is a legal and moral obligation—not a symbolic annual observance. In Libya, where political fragility intersects with social tensions, this obligation becomes even more urgent. Protecting human dignity, equality, and belonging are fundamental rights that must guide public policy.

Human Rights Solidarity Organisation

Tripoli – Libya

March 21, 2026

[1] United Nations: “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” 21 March.

[2] The campaign was launched under the slogan “No to Naturalization” (#لا_للتوطين), accusing the Government of National Unity of working to naturalize migrants and refugees in Libya “in compliance with European dictates.” Various actors amplified these claims, which found in social media an ideal echo chamber, allowing this misinformation to grow and circulate as unquestioned fact. This prompted the Prime Minister to appear publicly and urge people “not to fall into the trap of the naturalization lie.”

[3] On 13 March 2025, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah spoke at an official meeting of the Government of National Unity attended by most ministers and officials from the migration and border authorities. He stated that “there is no project to naturalize migrants in Libya,” adding that “in all meetings with the European Union, Libya affirms its refusal to keep migrants in the country, as it is a transit state.” He also stressed that he “rejects any assault on workers and migrants, and that security action must be left to the competent government authorities.” In contrast, the Acting Minister of Interior, Emad Al‑Trabelsi, delivered a contradictory, inflammatory, and demagogic speech on the same day.

[4] Law Enforcement Administration, General Directorate of Security Operations, Central Region Branch: “A Campaign in the City of Misrata Targeting Residences Housing Migrants”, 19 March 2025.

[5] Libya Al‑Akhbariya: “Libya’s Bedoon… Citizens Without Nationality or Civil Rights!”, 22 July 2019.

[6] Al‑Amal Association for Cystic Fibrosis Patients: “The Ministry of Health of the Government of National Accord Announces the Opening of Applications for State‑Funded Cancer Treatment in Tunisia”, 3 March 2021. One of the application requirements is an “original stamped national number,” which is not available to children holding administrative numbers.

[7] Aswat Website: “Between Granting and Denial… The Identity of Children of Libyan Women Married to Foreigners”, 28 January 2020.

[8] United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”.

[9] United Nations, Treaty Bodies: “Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination”.

[10] United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Treaty Bodies: “Document Database on Libya before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination”.

[11] Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedures: “Statement: Racial Discrimination and Enslavement of Migrants in Libya”, 7 December 2017.