A report claims the EU is complicit in the sale of Sub-Saharan migrants from Tunisia to Libyan gangs, with migrants being sold for as little as £10 each. The investigation highlights a systematic operation of abuse condoned by EU agreements. Women are sold for higher prices, often becoming victims of sexual slavery. Testimonies reveal the horrors faced by those who are trafficked, pointing to serious human rights violations enabled by European policies.
A recent report reveals that the European Union (EU) is implicated in a distressing practice involving the sale of Sub-Saharan migrants from Tunisia to Libyan gangs for as little as £10 each. This investigation, carried out by various humanitarian organizations, uncovers a disturbing network through which migrants are captured by Tunisian officials and subsequently sold across the border. Such actions underscore a severe humanitarian crisis facilitated by EU-Tunisia agreements.
The report describes a frightening cycle of abuse where captured migrants are dehumanized, often referred to as “black gold” by the Tunisian police and Libyan militia—drawing parallels to the transatlantic slave trade. Women are particularly targeted, commanding prices of up to £75, as they are often sold into sexual slavery. Testimonies from migrants reveal the brutal reality of this trafficking system and highlight the complicity of European nations.
Experiences documented within the report illustrate the harrowing conditions faced by migrants in Libya. One Cameroonian migrant recounted being sold like an object, asserting, “They sold us to the Libyans. I really mean buying and selling, like for objects, they sold us like slaves.” Another shared the appalling environment of detention, stating, “Prison in Libya is hell, it’s hell. The water to drink is salty. There are no toilets. You eat in the same place where you st.”
The EU and Italy face accusations of facilitating these abuses through their financial support and training provided to Tunisian border guards. Since 2017, Italy has invested approximately £62.8 million for this purpose, claiming a 59 percent decline in migrant crossings from North Africa—a situation celebrated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, critics assert that such actions contribute to severe human rights violations and suffering for thousands.
The testimonies within the report express the perspectives of those who have suffered under this system, reinforcing claims of brutality. One Guinean migrant stated, “European governments are complicit in the violence and torture inflicted on tens of thousands of refugees and migrants in Tunisia,” calling for accountability and change in the treatment of migrants. This distressing narrative sheds light on urgent humanitarian issues warranting international attention.
The report titled “State Trafficking: Expulsion and Sale of Migrants from Tunisia to Libya” emphasizes the ongoing crisis of human trafficking faced by migrants attempting to cross from Africa into Europe. With the EU’s external border extending into Tunisia, increasing measures to control migration, including alleged financial support to local authorities, raises serious ethical concerns. As European nations seek to prevent migration flows, their policies may inadvertently contribute to horrific human rights violations, particularly against vulnerable migrants seeking safety and better opportunities.
In summary, the report reveals a troubling association between EU border policies and the trafficking of Sub-Saharan migrants, emphasizing the moral responsibility of European nations. The testimonies of the migrants elucidate the dire conditions and treatment faced by individuals in this systemic exploitation. Consequently, these allegations call for immediate international scrutiny and action to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure the protection of migrants’ rights.
Original Source: www.gbnews.com
