Faith Nyasuguta
A grim discovery has unfolded in south-west Libya as Libyan security forces have unearthed a mass grave containing at least 65 bodies, the UN migration agency has disclosed.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed profound shock and alarm at the revelation, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. A spokesperson for the IOM stated, “The circumstances of the deaths remain unknown, but it is believed that they died in the process of being smuggled through the desert.”
The turmoil in Libya, exacerbated by over a decade of violent instability following the 2011 overthrow and killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed uprising, has transformed the nation into a breeding ground for people-smuggling and trafficking networks. These networks have long been accused of subjecting migrants to various forms of abuse.
In response to the discovery, the IOM appreciated the swift action taken by Libyan authorities to launch an investigation into the mass grave. The organization called on the authorities to ensure a dignified recovery, identification, and repatriation of the victims’ remains, while providing support to their grieving families.
The spokesperson emphasized, “Each report of a missing migrant or a loss of life represents a grieving family searching for answers about their loved ones or acknowledging the tragedy of the loss.”
Highlighting the urgency of addressing irregular migration challenges, the IOM stressed the need for a coordinated response to combat smuggling and trafficking.
The organization emphasised the necessity of establishing regular migration pathways to prevent such tragedies from recurring along migration routes.
“Without regular pathways that provide opportunities for legal migration, such tragedies will continue to be a feature along this route,” the spokesperson warned.
According to the IOM’s Missing Migrants project, at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances were recorded in 2023 along the Mediterranean route to Europe, making it the deadliest migratory route in the world.
The organization called for enhanced regional cooperation among authorities in countries along the migration route to ensure the safety and protection of migrants at all stages of their journeys.
In closing, the IOM reiterated its commitment to addressing the challenges of irregular migration and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to prevent further loss of life. The spokesperson concluded, “The cost of inadequate action is evident in the increasing human deaths and the disturbing conditions migrants find themselves in.”
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