International Organisation for Migration denounces illegal migrants slave trade in Libya
A few weeks ago, the International Organization for Migration IOM reported that African illegal migrants were sold in a Libyan slaves market. They are detained by armed groups who demand ransoms from the families in the countries of origin.
In 2016, 180,000 illegal migrants arrived in Italy. Tens of thousands never reached the European shores as their boats sank or they were sold into slavery in Libya.
”We as IOM reported that we have gathered testimonies of slave markets in Libya. We know that many migrants are illegally detained by smugglers who tortured them because they asked for ransom by phone” Said Flavio Di Giacomo- Mediterranean Spokesperson, IOM
The spokesperson for the IOM in the Mediterranean added that the goal of many migrants was to live and work in Libya. In fact, after 6 years of war, the North African country needs at least 2 million foreign workers to rebuild its damaged infrastructure.
The office of the International Organization for Migration in Geneva is developing a project with many African governments to facilitate the return and the reassertion of thousands of migrants to their countries of origin.
Illegal migrants from Africa are usually young and single. However, recent reports have revealed that women and children are also involved in illegal migration. They are the weakest and the most vulnerable.
