African refugees abused in NATO’s ‘new’ Libya

This 12 April 2017 video is called Migrants being sold as ‘slaves’ in Libya, IOM reports.

Slavery in Libya was abolished in 1857; before, eg, the Dutch colonial empire abolished it. However, NATO’s 2011 ‘humanitarian’ war on Libya brought it back.

Translated from Dutch NOS TV:

‘Three-quarters of young African refugees abused and exploited’

Today, 01:19

Shocking figures about young people and children refugees going through Libya to Europe. About three-quarters of them are being abused, ill-treated and exploited. This is in a report published by Unicef and the International Organization for Migration of the UN.

Children and young people who are fleeing to Europe are affected by various human rights violations, according to the report. Many single young people can only pay a boat trip after doing forced labour. They are regularly detained, beaten and abused sexually.

The report is based on talks with 22,000 migrants and refugees. Including 11,000 children and young people.

Vulnerable

Children and adolescents under the age of 25 especially get more violence and abuse. Young people with a low education level also appear to be more vulnerable to violence, as reported in the report. Especially the journey through Libya is dangerous because of the lawlessness and crime in the country.

Children and young people refugees from Central Africa are at the highest risk of exploitation and human trafficking. This is probably due to racism, say the researchers.