GENEVA – U.N. experts alarmed at racially charged violent clashes in Libya are warning that those fleeing the country must be protected, especially sub-Saharan Africans.
A statement issued Wednesday by a U.N. committee of experts responsible for monitoring racial discrimination worldwide says the U.N. and its member governments must act to prevent further violence.
It warns of "the risk of inter-ethnic violence and divisions which might worsen the deteriorating situation in Libya."
Human Rights Watch also warned Wednesday of a backlash against Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi's use of sub-Saharan African mercenaries to quash the uprisings.
The group said African workers among more than 140,000 refugees, foreign laborers and other minorities fleeing the violence are "particularly under threat due to popular anger" over Gadhafi's mercenaries
