A recent report claims that the EU is complicit in the trafficking of sub-Saharan migrants to Libyan gangs, with migrants sold for as little as £10. The investigation highlights a systematic nature of abuse supported by EU agreements with Tunisia. Eyewitness accounts reveal severe exploitation, particularly of women, at the hands of human traffickers. Italian authorities have financially supported border control efforts, celebrating reduced migrant crossings despite accusations of complicity in human rights abuses.
A new report detailing the exploitation of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa has accused the European Union (EU) of complicity. The investigation, undertaken by various humanitarian organizations, reveals that Tunisian authorities apprehend these migrants and transport them to Libyan gangs, sometimes for as little as £10 per person. This operation underscores a troubling pattern of abuses fueled by agreements between the EU and Tunisia, leading to egregious human rights violations.
Migrants who are captured are often referred to as “black gold” by Tunisian police and Libyan militia, invoking the dark legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Women, in particular, command higher prices, with some reports suggesting they can be sold for up to £75 due to being seen as sexual objects in Libya. Eyewitness accounts from migrants reflect their harrowing experiences of dehumanization and violent treatment at the hands of human traffickers, who conduct their actions as if they are simply transacting goods.
A 30-year-old Cameroonian migrant described the dire conditions in Libyan prisons, reports of torture, and the inhumane treatment he and others face, emphasizing the complete lack of basic hygiene and sustenance. Testimonies also highlight the brutality migrants endure, with accounts of physical abuse involving electric shocks and severe beatings. Such revelations underscore the immense suffering and exploitation these vulnerable individuals confront as they seek a better life.
The EU’s partnerships with Tunisia, particularly Italy’s recent financial support amounting to nearly £62.8 million since 2017 for border control, have purportedly resulted in a significant reduction—in excess of 59 percent—of migrant crossings from North Africa to Italy. This is being publicly celebrated as a success by Italian authorities, particularly Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, despite the moral ramifications and evidence of complicity in human rights abuses against those fleeing desperate circumstances.
The article addresses a critical humanitarian crisis involving the trafficking of sub-Saharan migrants from Tunisia to Libya. It provides insights into the clandestine operations facilitated by Tunisian authorities, with support from the EU, which purportedly contribute to severe human rights violations. By outlining the experiences of the migrants and the systemic abuses they face, the article highlights the grave implications of political agreements and funding aimed at controlling migration flows.
The findings of the report paint a deeply disturbing picture of human rights violations against migrants facilitated by EU-Tunisian agreements. The testimonies collected reveal the cruel reality of exploitation within this trafficking network. As European governments celebrate reductions in migration numbers, they must confront their complicity in the violence and violation of human rights experienced by vulnerable populations seeking refuge.
Original Source: www.gbnews.com
