A new report claims the EU is complicit in trafficking Sub-Saharan migrants to Libyan gangs for as little as £10. The investigation reveals a systematic operation involving Tunisian authorities, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly women. The report underscores the serious human rights violations occurring due to inadequate policies framed by EU agreements, particularly those concerning border security with Tunisia.
A recent report has accused the European Union of being “complicit” in the trafficking of Sub-Saharan migrants from Tunisia to Libyan gangs for as meager as £10 per person. This investigation, carried out by various humanitarian organizations, exposes a systematic operation wherein Tunisian authorities detain migrants, subsequently selling them across the border to Libyan groups. Researchers have characterized this scenario as a horrifying cycle of abuse facilitated by agreements between the EU and Tunisia.
Women are particularly targeted, often fetching prices of up to £75 each as they are sold into sex slavery. The report reveals that Tunisian police and Libyan militias refer to the captured migrants as “black gold,” reminiscent of the inhumane practices seen during the transatlantic slave trade. Accounts from migrants describe their horrific experiences, underscoring the brutality of the situation they face in Libya.
Testimonies from migrants highlight the grim realities of detention in Libya, with one individual stating: “Prison in Libya is hell, it is hell. The water to drink is salty. There are no toilets. You eat in the same place where you st.” Such conditions illustrate the extreme hardships faced by those who are forcibly captured and sold. The report documents specific locations known for their brutality, including a notorious detention camp referred to as “the cage,” where migrants are subjected to severe beatings and torture.
The European Union and Italy have been criticized for enabling these human rights violations through their cooperation with Tunisia. Italy alone has allocated nearly £62.8 million since 2017 for training and equipping Tunisian border guards, aiming to decrease migrant crossings from North Africa. This crackdown has reportedly led to a 59% reduction in migrants arriving in Italy, a development that has been publicly lauded by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Various testimonies from migrants reflect a broader sentiment that European governments are complicit in the systemic violence and abuse perpetrated against refugees and migrants in Tunisia. This report amplifies the urgent need for a reassessment of the policies and agreements that endanger human lives in pursuit of stricter border control.
The report sheds light on the alarming trend of human trafficking in the Mediterranean region, particularly regarding Sub-Saharan migrants. It emphasizes the role of European countries, specifically the EU and Italy, in inadvertently supporting such operations through their partnerships with North African nations. Understanding this context is crucial as it reveals how political decisions can lead to severe human rights abuses, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable populations seeking refuge.
In conclusion, the findings from this report highlight a disturbing reality wherein European policies contribute to the trafficking and suffering of Sub-Saharan migrants. This complicit involvement underscores the need for urgent reforms in migration and border control policies that prioritize human rights and dignity over strict enforcement measures. The continuing testimonies from survivors call for a collective responsibility among European nations to ensure the safety and protection of all migrants.
Original Source: www.gbnews.com
