Slave trade denied by Libyan officials among families’ cries for help

“Big, strong boys for farm work,” says an unknown auctioneer in Libya. For 1,200 Libyan dinars (equivalent to $884) a set of young men were sold into slavery. Recorded on a cell phone in Oct. 2017, a team from CNN revealed the sale of African refugees into slavery within the nation of Libya. These victims were at the whims of their handlers, referred to as “merchandise” several times within the scene captured by CNN. CNN was made aware of 9 locations within Libya, many less than 100 miles from the nation’s capital of Tripoli, where the slave auctions were held.

Libya is at the epicenter of African people. Migrants in Libya seek economic opportunity and while refugees flee political, religious and other conflicts for Europe which is seen as a beacon of hope, wealth, and stability to many of these peoples. On small and crowded rafts, these refugees embark on a treacherous journey over the Mediterranean sea toward Europe. Over the years, this passage has resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 persons since 2013. However, crackdown from the European Union, the Italian and Libyan governments has prevented many of these African refugees from leaving Libyan soil. Recent restraints have stranded an estimated 400,000 persons in the hands of smuggling rings and organized gangs.

CNN and several international organizations have attempted to investigate these claims and several men have recounted statements entailing horrific stories of forced labor and their family’s struggles to rescue them. However, in spite of these stories, the Libyan representative to the UN has stated that claims of slave trade within the nation is a “false media campaign of defamation.” The Libyan embassy in Washington DC has refused to comment.

In Nov. 2017, leaders from the European Union, Libya, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and several others agreed to help transition these migrants and refugees back to their home countries. On Nov. 28, 240 Nigerians were flown back from Libya in a primary attempt to return these people to their homes. Nonetheless, many international leaders and nations have still expressed anger towards Libya. Moreover, despite indicating that they wish to assist in the the movement of these people, the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees has been unable to provide significant assistance to Libya due to lack of funding.