This World Abolition Day – all eyes on Libya
From Freedom United
“They took people and put them in the street, under a sign that said ‘for sale’” Shamsuddin Jibril, from Cameroon.[1]
It’s World Abolition Day and, as you read this, traffickers are selling migrants and refugees in make-shift slave markets on the streets of Libya for between $200 and $500 each[2] – but people are beginning to pay attention.
Once bought, they are held for ransom in mass prisons and detention centers, or exploited for forced labor and sex. Conditions are extreme, with hundreds crammed into filthy rooms, with inadequate space, food or hygiene facilities. Right now, you can help migrants enslaved in Libya in two ways:
Sign our petition, and
If you’re on social media, join our Thunderclap action to help bring attention to the plight of migrants in Libya.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently stated his horror at what’s happening to migrants in Libya, saying “slavery has no place in our world and these actions are among the most egregious abuses of human rights and may amount to crimes against humanity.”[3]
And Guterres isn’t the only one speaking out. Various celebrities and influencers are raising their voices on Twitter against slave markets in Libya and are calling for action. Bishop T.D. Jakes, Reese Witherspoon, LL Cool J, Questlove, T.I. and Cardi B, just to name a few, have all taken to Twitter to speak out against the atrocities happening in Libya right now.
This World Abolition Day, sign our petition and unite with us against slave markets in Libya.
Traffickers exploit the lack of governance in Libya and profit from the vulnerability of migrants and refugees trying to create a better life for themselves and their families. With no one to uphold the law, there is no one to protect those at risk.
Known as the ‘Gateway to Europe’, Libya has become a transit and destination point for thousands of migrants and refugees desperate to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in search of a better life. But many don’t make it that far. Instead, smugglers offering to take them to the coast are selling them to the highest bidder. Today, we have a unique opportunity to make a lot of noise around the issue toward justice for vulnerable migrants and refugees forced into slavery in Libya.
Will you join our Thunderclap and help turn more attention toward victims of slavery in Libya? Thunderclap is a platform that helps us unite our voices for campaign moments just like this one, and will give us permission to send a message from your account one time only.
The extreme abuses that migrants crossing Libya face right now is a global issue – as highlighted in UN Security Council’s recent resolution calling for nations to adopt and adhere to stronger implementation of trafficking laws[4] – and needs concerted global action to impact change.
We urge you to sign our petition AND join our Thunderclap action to help bring justice for migrants suffering in Libya.
Thank you for adding your voice with all of ours against modern slavery.
In solidarity,
Joanna, Alex, Miriam and the whole team at Freedom United
THUNDERCLAP
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[1] http://africa-online.com/2017/05/26/african-migrants-flee-poverty-only-to-get-sucked-into-violent-crime/
[2] http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/iom-african-migrants-traded-libya-slave-markets-170411141809641.html
[3] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2017-11-20/secretary-general%E2%80%99s-statement-reported-news-slavery-libya
[4] http://news.trust.org/item/20171121173613-ralgy/
