Exclusive-Migrant expulsions from Tunisia to Libya fuel extortion, abuse -UN briefingBy David LewisNAIROBI (Reuters) – Tunisian border guards have rounded up migrants and passed them to counterparts in Libya where they have faced forced labour, extortion, torture and killing, according to a confidential U.N. human rights briefing seen by Reuters. Tarek Lamloun, a Libyan human rights expert, said such transfers had taken place as recently as early May. “Collective expulsions from Tunisia to Libya and the associated arbitrary detention of migrants are fuelling extortion rackets and cycles of abuse, which are already widespread human rights issues in Libya,” the U.N. briefing said. Libyan officials were demanding thousands of dollars in exchange for releasing some migrants, according to the briefing. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 4 the decline was “above all” due to help from Tunisia and Libya.

Source: Libya Today June 11, 2024 16:07 UTC