Libya: Migrations, Destiny, Mass Grave
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is alarmed by the discovery of several mass graves in Libya, possibly of migrants who paid loan sharks to take them to Europe, and is calling for greater protection for migrants on their destination routes towards the Mediterranean.
“We call on governments to strengthen regional cooperation to safeguard and protect migrants, regardless of their status, at all stages of their journeys,” IOM said in a statement.
Last week alone, 19 bodies were discovered in Jakharrah, 400 kilometers south of Benghazi, and another 30 in a mass grave in the Kufra desert, in the southeast of the country, where more bodies may still be found.
The discoveries were part of police raids against irregular migration, during which hundreds of migrants were rescued from smuggling networks.
“Too many migrants on these routes are victims of exploitation, violence and serious abuse.”
Nicoletta Giordano, head of the IOM mission in Libya, stated. According to the IOM, Libya hosts approximately 720.000 migrants from 44 countries, mainly from Africa and a large number from Sudan, fleeing the armed conflict through the Kufra region, the border zone between the two countries.
See also:
Picture: © Hazem Turkia / AA
