Libya

Chaos and violence for Christians

After the ouster of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya plunged into chaos and anarchy–a situation that has enabled various Islamic militant groups to control parts of the country. Converts to Christianity face abuse and violence for their decision to follow Christ. Libya is also home to many migrant workers who have been attacked, sexually assaulted and detained, which can be even worse if it is discovered they are Christians.

How Christians are suffering

Libyan Christians with a Muslim background face extremely violent and intense pressure from their family and the wider community to renounce their faith. Believers from other parts of the continent are also targeted by various Islamic militant groups and organized criminal groups. These groups kidnap Christians; there have also been instances in which Christians have been brutally killed. Even when they don’t face such a fate, Christians from sub-Saharan Africa are harassed and subjected to threats from radical Muslims.

Christian persecution is a serious problem in that any Christians who publicly express their faith and try to share the gospel with others also face the risk of arrest and violence. The absence of a single central government to impose law and order in the county has made the situation for Christians precarious. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is very high, and Christians are subjected to violent, inhumane and degrading treatment.

Examples

Christian migrants held in detention centers in Libya (mostly from sub-Saharan African countries) have reportedly been raped and beaten. Although the ill treatment and violence are not limited to Christian refugees, Christians are singled out for much worse discriminatory and violent treatment.

Libya made headlines in November 2017 when CNN showed video evidence of a slave auction of sub-Saharan Africans. Although the report was followed by an international outcry, nothing seems to have changed.

Given the security issues surrounding Muslims’ conversion to the Christian faith, most reports about converts in Libya cannot be published.