A/HRC/19/68 oppressed by the Government, there was no indication that they were treated during the conflict in a worse way as a consequence of this previous discrimination. 3. Thuwar 56. Misratans believe Tawerghans to be Qadhafi loyalists and responsible for crimes, including rape. When the thuwar captured Tawergha the, most Tawerghans left, fearing reprisals. When Tripoli fell to the thuwar, brigades from Misrata entered a Tawergha camp for displaced persons in the city and arrested and beat 85 Tawerghan men. In September 2011, they arrested between 40 and 50 more. According to eyewitnesses, as recently as 6 February 2012 Misratan thuwar attacked the displaced persons camp in Tripoli and killed five Tawerghans, including an elderly man, a woman and three minors. 57. The Commission received multiple reports that, in the months that followed the capture of Tripoli, there were cases of arbitrary arrest of Tawerghans by Misratan thuwar on the streets of Tripoli. The whereabouts of these arrested persons often remain unknown. Those who have been released report being beaten. The Commission documented multiple incidents of Tawerghans held in detention in Misrata being subjected to torture. The Commission examined corroborating injuries on victims. 58. A similar pattern of arrests, torture, other forms of ill-treatment and killings was documented by the Commission in Sirte, Zlitan, Al Jufra, Shawarif, Alut and Benghazi. 4. Tawergha 59. In the months after Tawergha was emptied of its population, houses and public buildings continued to be looted and destroyed by the Misratan thuwar. The Commission found that roads into the town had been blocked. The Commission observed houses being set alight. Buildings appeared to have been bulldozed. The Commission observed that the name “Tawergha” had been scratched off road signs, and that the words “New Misrata” had been written on them. The Commission notes that the Misratan thuwar were open about their views of the Tawerghans. One fighter told the Commission that he thought that the Tawerghans deserved “to be wiped off the face of the planet”. The language reportedly used by the Misratans during the arrests was often of a racist and derogatory nature, for example with reference to “slaves”, “blacks” and “animals”. Some were told that they could never return. 5. Targeting of other communities 60. The thuwar from Zintan targeted Mashashiya towns perceived as loyalist. The Commission was able to confirm reports that Mashashiya detainees were tortured, towns looted and property burned. Mashashiyans who attempted to return to their homes were reportedly beaten. In December 2011, Zintani thuwar reportedly shelled a town where Mashashiya internally displaced persons had sought refuge. Although the Military Council twice refused to allow the Commission to enter one of the towns, damage was visible. Graffiti was written on the town signs, including “Mashashiya – Qadhafi’s dogs”. 61. The inhabitants of Tiji and Badr are Arabs in an originally Amazigh region. When Nalut thuwar entered Tiji and Badr in August 2011, they reportedly demanded that its remaining residents leave, and killed three brothers. The thuwar subsequently shelled Tiji in October 2011 with Grad rockets, killing at least three young women. According to testimony received, Nalut thuwar had detained a number of adult men, whom they called “Arab dogs” and told them that “this is not your land”. The Commission observed that evidence of burning could still be seen in the town. 62. The Commission received reports of beatings and looting in Abu Kammesh by Zowara thuwar. One interviewee stated that a work colleague had told him “you’re an Arab 12

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