Mass graves of migrants were discovered in Libya, revealing the brutal conditions faced by those fleeing conflict in their home countries. Investigations linked these discoveries to a network of criminal gangs exploiting migrants, resulting in incidents of torture, forced labor, and deaths. The IOM calls for better protections for migrants while the EU struggles with its reliance on Libyan authorities amid skepticism about their effectiveness.
Recent discoveries of mass graves in Libya have unveiled a horrifying reality for migrants. Located near an illegal detention center in southeastern Libya and close to Benghazi, these graves contained the bodies of migrants primarily from sub-Saharan Africa. Investigations began after police raids freed emaciated migrants from informal detention camps, leading to the discovery of two mass graves: one with at least 28 bodies near Kufra, and another with 19 bodies found in Jakharrah. The victims have yet to be identified.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, confirmed that some bodies displayed gunshot wounds, while others were marked by visible scars, indicating brutal treatment. The eastern Libyan authorities are involved, as evidenced by a March 2024 IOM report that discovered another mass grave with at least 65 migrant bodies in an area controlled by the Tripoli government.
An investigation by Libya’s attorney general revealed the operation of a criminal gang responsible for kidnapping migrants, subjecting them to torture and inhumane treatment. The chaos in Sudan, stemming from a civil war, has led to a surge of 60,000 to 100,000 Sudanese migrants entering Libya in 2024, many of whom follow dangerous paths controlled by organized crime. “Those who can afford to pay at every stage of their journey are safe. But migrants without money lose control over their path and cannot pay for their own well-being,” explained Jalel Harchaoui from the Royal United Services Institute.
The plight of migrants often escalates into forced labor, sex trafficking, and torture for ransom, with some individuals even killed as a warning to others. In 2024, the IOM reported 965 migrant deaths and disappearances in Libya, with 22% of these occurring on routes where fatalities frequently go unrecorded.
The IOM has appealed to governments along migration routes to enhance regional cooperation for the protection of all migrants, regardless of their status. This call has reached European nations, particularly Italy, as most migrants aim to reach these shores. However, doubt persists about effective action; Harchaoui stated, “It would take a military intervention in Libya, but no one wants to challenge Haftar’s dominance.”
The European Union has been relying on Libyan authorities to manage migration across the Mediterranean, resulting in a reported 59% drop in irregular crossings along the central Mediterranean route, attributing this decrease to reduced departures from Tunisia and Libya, as noted by Frontex, the EU’s border agency.
The discovery of mass graves in Libya highlights the severe risks faced by migrants, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa. These inhumane conditions perpetuated by criminal gangs, alongside ineffective governmental intervention, reveal systemic issues regarding migrant safety. As the international community calls for cooperation and action, skepticism remains, especially regarding the influence of local powers and the reliability of Libyan authorities in managing migration.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
