Application for Asylum: Libya, Political Opinion, and Health Concerns

This document presents an application for asylum submitted by a student currently residing in the United States, originally from Libya. The applicant, a former university lecturer and member of the Al-Awaqir tribe, fears persecution and harm due to their political opinions against the current factional governments and the ongoing civil war in Libya. The application details the applicant's opposition to the rebel governments, their criticism of the civil war, and the resulting threats and family conflicts. The applicant also cites their daughter's heart condition as a crucial reason for remaining in the United States, given the lack of adequate medical care in Libya. The document references the political instability, violence, and the applicant's well-founded fear of future persecution if they were to return to Libya, including potential discrimination, arrest, or violence. The application provides a comprehensive overview of the situation in Libya, including the involvement of various factions, and the applicant's personal experiences and fears.

APPLICATION FOR ASYLUM BRIEF
I currently reside in the United States, outside my home country Libya. I am unwilling to
return because of a well-founded fear of persecution and harm because of my political
opinion and membership in a particular social group. As such, I asked USCIS to
favorably consider and approve my I-589 application for the asylum and consider me as
a refugee so that I can resettle in the United States to enjoy freedom and liberties. If my
application for asylum is granted, I would like to further showcase the United States’
highest values and aspirations to compassion, generosity, and leadership.
FACTS:
I, Walid, is a native citizen of Taokara in Libya. I was a lecturer at Omar Al-Mukhtar
University and left Libya with my family on February 22, 2014, to pursue my doctoral
degree in the United States.
I belong to the Al-Awaqir tribe in Libya. Of note is that Gaddafi was popular amongst the
Al- Awaqir tribe. As such, most members of the Al-Awaqir tribesmen joined Gaddafi’s
government during the revolution of 2011. These are some reasons that the present
administration, including many members of the Misrata militias and Khalifa Haftar’s
factions, hate Libyans individually members who belong to Al-Awaqir tribe.
In 2011, Haftar was fighting with the Libyan insurgency against the government of
Muammar Gaddafi and took the command of rebel army. I am confused that all my
family and Al- Awaqir tribe is one of the strategic allies to Khalifa Haftar, the militia
leader who controls the government in eastern Libya. Haftar became the dictator after
he hijacked Dignity Operation. He controlled my tribe with targeting arrest, enforced
disappearance, snatched and killed leaders, activities and the opponents for his
personal agenda. Also, he could buy the rest of Al Awaqir tribe’s leaders and Ghaddafi
remaining troops with money and phony promises with administrative positions to reach
his whims.
Lawsuits were filed against Haftar in France for murder, acts of torture and barbarism.
The International Criminal Court seeks to extradite criminals with Haftar who committed
crimes for ordering a mass execution of a dozen political prisoners. Also, the US
government recently demanded Haftar to extradite Mahmoud al-Werfalli, a senior
commander of Haftar Special Forces who was accused of the killing.
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Libya is heading towards full-blown civil war. The new civil war has passed two months.
Ironically, the warlord Haftar and Misrata and Tripoli militias defied international calls for
a ceasefire days into a battle that has left six hundreds dead and thousands injured,
among ten of my cousins and neighbors.
I am still against the rebel government, for violating the Libyan rights of choice, equality
and dignity and for corruption that ravages Libya. My opposition to the battle for capital
Tripoli because all Libyan sons were exploited to fight each other for political interests
and wealth. I refused to see my tribesmen and others dying for nothing but to sacrifice
for the rebel leaders to govern Libya and those liars and their families enjoy living the
power and wealth of us.
In sum, the mentality of the factional (rebel) governments is intolerable of any difference
in political opinion and thus suppress freedom of speech. As per their opinion you are
either with them or against them in-fact in one of the video's of Haftar he said that there
is no such thing called democracy. The factional (rebel) government vowed to make
Libya a democratic country and free from oppression. However, they caused Libya to be
a failed state and divided.
THE FIRST REASON FOR SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA. A CHANGE OF MY SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
As I have already described that I am willingly seeking asylum in USA because of a
well-founded fear of persecution and harm as a result of my political opinion and
membership in a particular social group. I have a fear of persecution or killing if I return
to Libya because of my political opinion against the revolution and the opposition to
ongoing civil war. I have publicly expressed my belief that Libya is governed by fire and
iron, by people who are hungry for power. The pro-Haftar militias and the pro-Misrata
militias obstruct the law and freedom, making any political or life improvements
impossible by continuing the civil war since the downfall of the previous government.
I do not believe in the current government and would never work with these factional
governments because they killed my relatives and oppose freedom and democracy. My
political view, like those of many of the people in Libya is based on a feeling of
discontentment with the revolution because rebels lied to the Libyan people and the
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world during the time of war. I am like many oppressed Libyans that have lost my
freedom, security; there is discrimination in universities and public places and there is
enforced disappearance and killing.
The danger for my Al- Awaqir tribesmen and women who refuse the war are seized by
warlord Haftar militias, who want to take control of Libya on the skulls of the Libyan
people. Al- Awaqir tribe is now pro-Haftar who has obsolete military power and political
influence over the factional (rebel) government in eastern and southern Libya. There are
hundreds of fighters including my cousins and relatives who are fighting with Haftar
against Misrata and Tripoli militias. Many of my cousins were killed and injured in the
ongoing military fight. And there is a new problem which is been faced by my family is
turned to be supporting Haftar and became against my political opinion.
I did not apply for asylum in one year because I arrived in the United States on an F-1
visa, accompanied with my family so my plan was to complete degree and return to
Libya for previous job as a university professor. Unfortunately, the new civil war, current
unstable, and insecure situation have made returning to Libya impossible. I realized that
returning at this time under the current conditions was similar to suicide.
On April 4, 2019, a new Libyan civil war started between the two factional (rebel)
governments: The Interim Government (east of Libya) and Government of National
Accord (west of Libya). The warlord Haftar engaged in the war to take control of Libya to
stay in power. He is backed with insurgents from France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and
Emirates, and many of former Ghaddafi’s government army joined to Haftar’s attack on
Tripoli. I still believe that all factional (rebel) governments are deceiving the Libyan
people and the world that their fight for not making Libya a democratic country, they are
fighting each other for wealth and power.
The US State Department on April 7, 2019 in press statement demanded an
"immediate" halt to Haftar's offensive and was deeply concerned about fighting near
Tripoli and urged an immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan
capital: https://www.state.gov/situation-in-libya/.
Haftar appeared ordering his soldiers [to take no prisoners]. Also, Haftar’s army
spokesman declaring [to target anyone who use social media; Facebook, all press
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media to write against Haftar’s war on Tripoli are going to be objectives to us]. The
Libyan media and press are powered by the factional (rebel) government and speak
with the tongue of the warlord Haftar. The “Libya Al Hadath TV” introducers an
inflammatory tone threatening people who incite to refuse or oppose the war on
Facebook or criticize the symbols of revolution to face a penalty. I heard them said: [The
government is going to pursue all opponents of Haftar’s operation and the war, and they
will not be mercy or compassion with the opponents on Facebook, Twitter and even
reporters]. Based on Haftar’s commands, I saw Haftar’s militias committing heinous
crimes and bitterly kill prisoners and burn fire on bodies on the battlefield over Tripoli.
At the meantime my family and cousins are angry of writing on Facebook. My brother
cautioned me to stop writing against the government. These days a lot of enforced
appearances started in Benghazi and surrounding cities eastern Libya to government
opponents. Additionally, my cousins and relatives are annoyed of my political view on
Facebook. My brothers told me that the neighbors are being aggressive after my
opposition to the war. They were confronted with angry cousins whose sons were killed
in the battle of Tripoli. My family expressed their fears for living under pressure that
angry cousins would take revenge. They fear for their lives and jobs. I was told that if I
continue to write about my political opinion, they would announce to disown our
relationships.
My family is so scared of their lives and jobs even though they showed support to Haftar
and factional government in the east of Libya. They still fear that the government militias
would come at any time and grab my father or brothers from the street or homes and
then deny it or refuse to say where they are, as it happened with my cousins before. My
mother begged me a lot to stop writing on Facebook. She was very concerned with their
and my safety from angry tribesmen harassment and government persecution if I return
to Libya.
I am alone! My tribe considers opposing the war and is a betrayal of the tribe followers.
My brothers and sisters do not like my opinion. Many of my cousins, close friends and
academic colleagues started not to “like” my posts or comments even the non political
ones. They support Haftar and the factional (rebel) government in the east of Libya.
The situation became serious as current government is unwilling to protect me because
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of my political opinion against them and all my brothers and sisters did not like my
opinion. Three of my sisters and two of my brothers refuse to call or ask about my kids
after their support and fear of persecution. One of my brothers and sisters become was
so angry that they would have beaten me if I return.
Even, inside of eastern Libya no one could dare to oppose the war or criticize Haftar
because he controls east of Libya and has absolute authority over the factional (rebel)
government and the parliament. I will face discrimination and abhorrent harassment by
my extended family, cousins. I can also be arrested or attacked at the airport by
factional government militias.
I have a well-founded fear of future persecution or killing if I return to Libya because I
declared my rejection and opposition to the new civil war, the revolution, and the
factional (rebel) governments’ policies. As being an educator, a doctoral candidate with
plans to be a university professor my dissenting thoughts would be seen as likely to
influence the youth against the government. This highly increases the chances of my
murder.
THE SECOND REASON FOR SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA: MY DAUGHTER HEART HEALTH CONDITION.
My daughter: Fatma al zahra W. Abdel wahid was born on March 25, 2010, in Libya.
She is ten years old, a 4th grader at John Pittard Elementary at Murfreesboro, TN.
She has a heart problem. My daughter Fatma al zahra was diagnosed with (PDA) a
hole in the heart. I cannot return to Libya because she has a heart problem. Since the
revolution in 2011, there is lack of administrative support and maintenance, equipment,
and professional cardiologists in hospitals. In addition, Libya’s atmosphere is unstable
and insecure for my daughter’s health due to the ongoing civil wars. Moreover, if I get
killed or arrested, there will be no one to take care of her. I cannot return to Libya,
especially the doctor referred to see her after three years to follow up and she needs to
visit dentist every six months. She could get sick at any time and need to perform a
heart catheterization surgery. In Libya, there are no professional or experience doctors.
They all are living outside the country since 2011.
She has a heart problem. More than two years ago, she was playing at the playground
and came in terrified. Her face was pale and tumbling. She hugged her mom hard and
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said my chest hurts. She felt pain in chest and the heart was beating very high. We took
her to the Emergency Room. After that, they referred us to go to a cardiology clinic.
From that time, she was seen by cardiology, and they put heart rate monitor on her
chest.
Dr. Flack at Vanderbilt Children Hospital in Nashville, TN, the diagnosis that Fatma al
zahra has Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). The cardiologist said every baby is born with
a ductus arteriosus. After birth, the opening is no longer needed, and it usually narrows
and closes within the first few days of life. However, if not settled by itself, they need to
close it. PDA is extra blood gets pumped from the body artery into the lung arteries. If
the PDA is large, the extra blood being pumped into the lung arteries makes the heart
and lungs work hard, this may cause permanent damage to the lung blood vessels.
On February 15, 2019, Fatmaalzahra was to be admitted to Vanderbilt Children’s
Hospital to perform cardiac catheterization (Attached the copy of hospital arrangement
for your reference). This catheterization procedure was to insert a coil through the
catheters into the PDA like a plug. A catheterization procedure used to close the ductus.
After the first few weeks, medicine will not work as well to close the ductus, and surgery
may be required if something wrong occurs after the catheterization procedure.
Fortunately, Fatmaalzahra was accepted for treatment of the Children’s Special
Services Program from the Tennessee Department of Health. She can visit Vanderbilt
Children Hospital for her heart problem an estimate of the total time is three years for
treatment. So my family and I are thankful for the Tennessee State government and
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for their consideration.
It is impossible to return to Libya with my daughter. I am so concerned about her future
health condition. My family will not take care of her because they hate my political
opinion. What if she needs the catheterization procedure or surgery. I cannot only
gamble that my daughter’s heart condition will be normal in Libya.
“Health is a major concern in Libya. The health system is further deteriorated due to
fragmented governance, limited financial resources, deficient human resources, acute
shortage of lifesaving medicines and basic equipment, a debilitated primary health-care
(PHC) network, and neglected health services. The repeated emergencies have not
allowed a proper recovery of public sector services. Service Availability and Readiness
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Assessment survey, conducted by WHO and MOH, showed that 17 out of 97 hospitals
are closed and only 4 hospitals are functional between 75-80% of its capacity. Over
20% primary health care facilities are closed and the rest are not ready for service
delivery [World Health Organization “WHO”].
After the revolution in 2011; Hospitals in Libya are suffering from a shortage of medical
supplies due to the absence of governmental administration, instability, and insecurity
and corruption. The current factional (rebel) governments do not spend money on
hospitals; they spend it on buying weapons for killing people and for their political
interests. “The persistence of violence continues to have a negative impact on the
delivery of health care in Libya. Hospitals and other medical facilities have been caught
in crossfire in fighting between armed groups, leading to deaths, structural damage and
temporary closures. Armed groups, including those formally integrated into Ministries,
have subjected health care providers to physical and verbal assaults, threats,
intimidation, and unlawful deprivation of liberty, contributing to the exodus of health care
professionals. Access to essential health services has been further impeded by
insecurity, delays at checkpoints and road closures. This situation has deprived the
wounded and sick of the right to the highest attainable standard of health, compounded
the suffering of civilians and further undermined Libya’s already fragile and under-
resourced health system”. Please see enclosed letter: (United Nations Support Mission
in Libya (UNSMIL) Brief). Moreover, electricity is continually being cut off in cities
because the power grids have been sabotaged during the wars and damaged due to
lack of maintenance. Hence, many hospitals are been affected by it. Aljazeera online
News. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/turning-battlefields-libyan-capital-
190425113115453.html.
Libya: Hospitals suffering from shortages; public infrastructure collapsing:
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/libya-hospitals-suffering-shortages-public-
infrastructure-collapsing. Karl Mattli, the head of delegation for the ICRC in Libya,
states: “Libya’s medical professionals have been struggling to help patients in need due
to a lack of supplies." "Doctors performing lifesaving procedures must have the material
for it." Even best Libyan doctors escaped outside the country because of poor security,
abductions and the lack of hospice care. https://reliefweb.int/report/libya/rising-health-
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worker-abductions-libya-threaten-fragile-health-system. My father suffered to do a
surgery on the prostate in 2018, they asked him to bring sterilization materials and other
medical supplies because the hospital lacks medical equipments.
My family advise me to stay in US for my daughter’s good healthy life. She needs to be
close to doctor until final report is received that she will not need any catheterization
procedure or surgery and can live without surgery after her appointment by three years.
I do not have any option for my daughter except US. There is no better nation than US
to get medical treatment.
CONCLUSION
I respectfully request that the USCIS approves my I-589 Application for Asylum. I
request the USCIS to grant me asylum for my family to live with freedom and
democracy. On behalf of my daughter, Fatmaalzahra, I request that the USCIS
approves my I-589 Application for Asylum for my daughter’s health condition. I have
attached all necessary documents for this petition.
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