UN calls for accountability over migrant torture and trafficking at Tunisia-Libya border
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31 civil society groups urge EU to end migration cooperation with Libya over rights abuses
Mary Wambui
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12 hours agoRead nextOpens a fresh page.
UN human rights experts say more than 7,400 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from sub-Saharan Africa have faced arbitrary detention, collective expulsions, trafficking and abuse involving actors in Tunisia and Libya since June 2023.
United Nations (UN) human rights experts have accused actors on both sides of the Tunisia-Libya border of involvement in a systematic pattern of arbitrary detention, collective expulsions and trafficking targeting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from sub-Saharan Africa.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the experts said they had received reports indicating that more than 7,400 people had been affected since at least June 2023. The allegations implicate Tunisian security forces alongside Libyan state and non-state actors. The reported abuses include unlawful detention, physical violence, torture, sexual violence, forced labour and human trafficking.
According to the experts, testimonies from victims describe a cross-border cycle in which migrants are allegedly detained in Tunisia before being forcibly expelled into Libya. Once there, some are reportedly transferred between detention centres and private locations, where they are subjected to exploitation.
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Women and girls were allegedly trafficked for sexual exploitation and sexual slavery, while men were forced into labour. Some victims were also reportedly transferred repeatedly between different groups, with those unable to pay ransom demands facing continued exploitation.
“We are deeply alarmed by information received describing a system of arbitrary detention, abuse, collective expulsions and trafficking of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from Tunisia to Libya, with the involvement of Tunisian security forces,” the experts said.
The experts further said migrants detained in Tunisia reported being beaten and abused by uniformed personnel using tasers, iron bars and dogs, while some were allegedly threatened with gunfire. Victims also described repeated searches, humiliation and the confiscation of personal belongings, including mobile phones and identity documents. They also reported being denied adequate food and medical care.
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The officials added that the alleged violence and neglect had, in some cases, resulted in deaths and enforced disappearances. They also cited reports of possible mass graves near military installations in Libya and called for further investigations.
The allegations come amid longstanding concerns over the treatment of migrants travelling through North Africa in an attempt to reach Europe. Libya, in particular, has faced sustained international criticism over the abuse of migrants held in detention facilities run by state authorities and armed groups.
According to the experts, the reported abuses could amount to violations of international human rights law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law and refugee law.
“We urge Tunisia and Libya to carry out prompt, independent, and impartial investigations and ensure accountability for all those responsible, as well as effective access to remedies for victims,” they said.
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