GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed serious concern over reports that more than 7,400 people, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, are victims of a systematic pattern of arbitrary detention, collective expulsion and trafficking at the Tunisia-Libya border and in Libya, since at least June 2023, allegedly involving Tunisian security forces and Libyan state and non-state actors.
“We are deeply alarmed by information received describing a system of arbitrary detention, abuse, collective expulsions and trafficking of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from Tunisia to Libya, with the involvement of Tunisian security forces,” the experts said.
Testimonies indicate that detainees are beaten and abused by uniformed personnel using tasers, iron bars, dogs, and threats of gunfire, to intimidate and punish detainees. Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers reportedly endure repeated searches, humiliation and the confiscation of personal belongings, including phones and identity documents, while being denied access to adequate food and medical care. Women have reportedly been subjected to rape, and men to severe physical assault.
“We are extremely concerned about the reports of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in detention in Tunisia and in Libya, and that such violence and neglect have resulted in deaths, enforced disappearances, and that mass graves may exist near military installations in Libya,” the experts said.
“Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers – men, women, including pregnant women, couples, children, including unaccompanied children – are treated as commodities, trafficked across the Tunisia-Libya border in exchange for cash, fuel, hashish or other forms of payment for purposes of exploitation, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, sexual slavery and abduction for ransom,” they said. Prices allegedly vary according to the perceived ransom value of those transferred. Those unable to secure payment face continued exploitation.
In Libya, women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation and sexual slavery, and men are subjected to forced labour. Victims are transferred from detention facilities to private locations and repeatedly sold or transferred for exploitation, in a widespread and systematic pattern of trafficking in persons that treats human beings as commodities. These allegations point to grave violations of international human rights law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and international refugee law.
“We urge Tunisia and Libya to carry out prompt, independent, and impartial investigations and ensure accountability for all those responsible, as well as effective access to remedies for victims,” the experts said.
The UN experts are in contact with the Governments of Libya and Tunisia on these issues.
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