U.N. Chief ‘Horrified’ by Report of Libya Slave Auction

  • 7 years ago
U.N. Chief ‘Horrified’ by Report of Libya Slave Auction
Mr. Guterres said the reported slave auction "also reminds us of the need to address migration flows in a comprehensive
and humane manner," including "enhanced international cooperation in cracking down on smugglers and traffickers and protecting the rights of victims." Follow Rick Gladstone on Twitter: @rickgladstone.
Mr. Guterres, who led the United Nations refugee agency for a decade
and has been outspoken about the mistreatment of migrants in Africa and elsewhere, said he had asked "the relevant United Nations actors" to conduct an investigation of the reported slave auctions.
The African Union Commission issued a statement after the rally, calling the reported auctions "despicable." It urged the African Commission on Human
and Peoples’ Rights to assist the Libyan authorities with the investigation.
Guterres said that Slavery has no place on our world
and these actions are among the most egregious abuses of human rights and may amount to crimes against humanity,
Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters demonstrated in front of the Libyan Embassy in central Paris, chanting "Put an end to the slavery
and concentration camps in Libya!" and "Free our brothers!" Police dispersed them with tear-gas after the rally turned violent.
20, 2017
The secretary general of the United Nations added his voice on Monday to a growing
uproar over the reported auctioning of African migrants in Libya as slaves.