Earlier this month, a CNN investigation revealed that migrant slave auctions are occurring in Libya, as people who are fleeing their home countries are being “auctioned off” by captors for hundreds of dollars. This discovery is incredibly egregious and tragic — and the world must act to help put an immediate end to the practice. Here’s how you, too, can help stop the slave trade in Libya (and around the world) by engaging in advocacy campaigns and helping fund development and anti-slavery initiatives.
After receiving video footage of a migrant slave auction, a team from CNN traveled to Libya, where it discovered that slave auctions were taking place in at least nine different locations. The outlet reported that, at these auctions, migrant men from other African countries were being auctioned off for a few hundred dollars. Libya has a substantial migrant population, as tens of thousands of people fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries cross into Libya every year as they try to immigrate to Europe.
Often, these migrants never make it to Europe and find themselves “indebted” to smugglers who initially agreed to help them secure passage to Europe, CNN reported. They potentially face slave auctions as smugglers seek to recoup money.
The Libyan slave trade, as well as the global slave trade, are certainly complex issues which will require a worldwide effort to eradicate. However, there are steps you can take to help end slavery in Libya and beyond.
Make Sure The U.N. Focuses Its Efforts On This Issue
#Slavery & #HumanTrafficking shouldn't be happening. African migrants & #refugees are victims of #SlaveTrade in #Libya. There needs to be mass #media coverage. World leaders know about this & remain silent. Where's the #UnitedNations?#Africa #HumanRightshttps://t.co/BamR4UcLQF
— Abdul Hamid Faruki (@TjpAbdul) November 27, 2017
First and foremost, you should advocate for the U.S. and the United Nations (U.N.) take a strong stance when it comes to investigating, condemning, and ending the Libyan slave trade. On Tuesday, diplomats at a U.N. Security Council meeting, which included U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called for an investigation into the Libyan slave trade as well as a coordinated U.N. response to help combat the problem.
While this initial momentum is promising, it is imperative to continue to put pressure on the U.N. to follow through with an investigation, as well as to develop a comprehensive response to addressing the issue. Consider contacting Ambassador Haley to encourage her to continue to prioritize the slave trade issue within the United Nations system.
Support The International Organization For Migration (IOM)
Our latest newsletter covering the period from 24 October to 5 November is now out! If you would like to know more about our activities in #Libya, check this link: https://t.co/cH8tEtpRZd pic.twitter.com/jDwjDbWzmf
— IOM Libya (@IOM_Libya) November 14, 2017
The IOM is working in Libya to protect migrants’ human rights and to prevent them from being trafficked into servitude by smugglers. The organization is doing so by pushing Libyan authorities to develop alternatives to migrant detention centers (where migrants are often exploited and abused) and by demanding that authorities hold those who abuse or enslave migrants accountable for their actions.
READ MORE Over 3,000 migrants and refugees died in Med in 2017, IOM
So far, the organization has succeeded in closing seven detention centers in the country and is pushing for the creation of open detention centers that respect migrants’ rights. You can donate to the IOM here.
Fight The “Root Causes” Of Slavery And Trafficking
What inspires you to donate? Be a lifeline & save a child's life this #GivingTuesday 👉 https://t.co/Hw8JcKG6hS pic.twitter.com/D1yNHUuoiu
— World Food Programme (@WFP) November 28, 2017
You can also help stop the Libyan slave trade by helping fight what U.N. Secretary General António Guterres refers to as the “root causes” of trafficking and slavery — one of which is poverty. You can help stop trafficking and slavery by donating to development organizations that help refugees (like the United Nations Refugee Agency) or to organizations that work on country-wide aid and development, either in Libya or in the countries from which migrants are fleeing.
rTwo options for donations to broader humanitarian and development aid include the World Food Program, Save The Children, Oxfam, and Medecins Sans Frontieres, among others.
READ MORE UN Investigating Libya Slave Trade
Contact Social Media Companies
According to the IOM, smugglers have previously used Facebook Live to broadcast videos of imprisoned migrants in Libya — and, in particular, to send these videos to migrants’ family members as a way of extorting money for their release. The IOM is asking social media companies to be ban the use of their services for the sharing of these types of videos. You too can help contribute to this advocacy by writing to Facebook to echo the requests of the IOM.
Donate To Global Anti-Slavery Organizations
#GivingTuesday is TOMORROW! #GiveToFreedom to support our work to ensure that communities have the resources they need to defend themselves against trafficking. This year our goal is $15,000. We can't wait to see all the change that will be possible through your help! pic.twitter.com/hQohGGOT72
— Free the Slaves (@FreetheSlaves) November 27, 2017
In addition to helping stop the slave trade in Libya, it is also important to help eradicate slavery around the world. There are many reputable organizations working hard to end worldwide slavery, including Free the Slaves, End Slavery Now, and the Polaris Project, to which you should consider donating in order to help contribute to their missions of ending modern day slavery.
Raise Awareness
Researchers estimate 40 million are enslaved around the world generating about $150 in illegal profits. This Giving Tuesday season, discuss your role in ending slavery w/ friends. Get involved by giving to FTS this #GivingTuesday. #GiveToFreedom here https://t.co/I4IbYHc9B4 pic.twitter.com/fsCvN55Beb
— Free the Slaves (@FreetheSlaves) November 20, 2017
You should also consider raising awareness of this issue among friends and family and on social media as a way of encouraging others to contribute to the fight to end slavery in Libya and beyond.
READ MORE Russia vows more support for Libya national dialogue
Free the Slaves provides a list of recommended ways in which you can spread the word about the issue. Some of these initiatives include sharing educational videos and books on the subject, following and sharing the organization’s social media posts, and encouraging others to donate to anti-slavery organizations and initiatives.
Shop Slave-Free
Buy Slave Free | Shop Differently to End Slavery – End Slavery Now https://t.co/sjmP8i09ki pic.twitter.com/4fuaJCxJuZ
— Universal Justice (@PublicImpactLaw) February 17, 2016
Not all modern day slavery is linked to global commercial production, as slave labor is unfortunately used for a variety of other purposes as well. However, a significant portion of slave labor is indeed utilized to produce commercial products and you can help stop it by committing to buying goods that are not produced using slave labor.
This slave-free shopping guide from End Slavery Now is a good place to start, as it identifies companies which actively seek to prevent use of slave labor in their supply chains — and from which you should purchase goods if you wish to help contribute to ending the cycle of slavery.
Tragically, slavery is a pervasive global problem, and the recent migrant slave auctions in Libya serve as just one illustration of this very significant issue. Nearly 40 million people are enslaved worldwide, and urgent action needs to be taken to put an end to this horrific reality. You can certainly help contribute to stopping slavery in Libya and beyond by advocating and donating, and by ensuring that as many people as possible know about the problem of modern day slavery.
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