Approximately 282 African immigrants (inmates) who were held at the Holot detention facility in Israel marched towards Beersheva, about 30 miles away. They refused to return to the detention center during their usual lock-down and stayed overnight at the central bus station, a spokeswoman for Israel Prisons Service reported.

Israeli authorities broke up the protest that was held outside the parliament building today arresting about 10 African migrants who joined the protest against the detention policy. The policy allows authorities to detain illegal migrants for a year without trial.

"We're talking about people who have nothing to lose," said Michal Rotem, an Israeli activist who took part in the march. "This is their last chance to come and say... we want our freedom."

The protesters held signs: "Refugees, Not Criminals" and "Walk for Freedom and Humanity." There is no written report about what goes on in the detention facility of south Israel, but it must be really bad - if these African migrants want to be treated as refugees.

Israel is still working on reducing the number of Africans who enter its land illegally. However, it should note that these people would not be running away from green pastures. They seek a better and safer life. Unfortunately, right now, they seem to be running into the hands of a country that treat them as 'criminals' - protesters noted.

One of the migrants, 29-year old Brahani Beraki from Eritrea said "We come here to ask for protection. We don't want to go back to our country," said Brahani Beraki, a 29-year-old from Eritrea, whose government is widely accused of torture, restrictions on freedom of expression and other human rights violations. "Our country is a bad situation ... We need to save our life here."

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said some 180 people have been detained. He said they were expected to be returned to detention facilities in the southern desert. No injuries were reported.

"Just as we are determined to protect our borders, we're determined to enforce the law," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday. "The infiltrators who were transferred to the special detention facility can either stay there or go back to their home countries.

Currently, Israel has approximately 53,000 Africans - mostly Ethiopians and Sudanese. I won't be surprised if Nigerians are there too.

Officials said the protesters are likely to be arrested for not returning to the Holot centre within 48 hours. I think it's unfair to detain migrants for one whole year without trial. What do you think?

http://www.infonubia.com/2013/12/hundreds-of-african-migrants-protest-in.html