The UN confirmed the recovery of 93 bodies from two mass graves in Libya amid human trafficking crackdowns. The graves were discovered in Jakharrah and Kufra, with previous reports indicating migrant torture in the area. The unstable political landscape in Libya contributes to the growth of human trafficking networks that exploit migrants.
The United Nations has confirmed the recovery of 93 bodies from two mass graves in Libya, highlighting the ongoing crisis related to human trafficking in the country. The first grave was discovered on February 7 at a farm in Jakharrah, northeastern Libya, while the second grave was found on February 8 in Kufra, located in the southeast. UN Under-Secretary-General for African Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, provided the updates during a Security Council meeting but did not disclose the number of bodies found at each grave site.
Previously, Libyan authorities reported that 28 bodies were uncovered in Kufra, near locations where sub-Saharan migrants were allegedly detained and subjected to torture. This discovery came after a raid targeting a human trafficking network, during which 76 migrants were rescued. The Libyan attorney general affirmed that the operation was aimed at crippling a gang engaged in enslaving and torturing illegal immigrants.
Just days later, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration announced the finding of the second mass grave in Jakharrah. Libya has become a key transit zone for migrants attempting to reach Europe, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing instability following the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. As a result, the nation is divided between a UN-recognized government in Tripoli and another backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar in the east.
The chaos and power struggles within Libya have created a fertile ground for human trafficking and smuggling enterprises, which often expose migrants to severe and brutal conditions. The international community continues to address the dire humanitarian situation faced by migrants in the region as violence and exploitation persist.
The discovery of 93 bodies in mass graves in Libya underscores the grave humanitarian issues linked to human trafficking in the region. The findings, resulting from targeted operations against trafficking networks, illustrate the brutal conditions faced by migrants. Libya’s political instability continues to facilitate these crimes, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance and intervention to protect vulnerable populations fleeing to Europe.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
