Another mass grave has been reportedly discovered along the Libya-Tunisia border, confirmed by UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk during an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday. This is the second mass grave found in Libya this year.
In his speech, Türk committed his Office to diligently follow up on these findings: “We are following up on reports of another mass grave recently discovered in the desert area at the Libya-Tunisia border. I urge the authorities to respond swiftly to our inquiries and to investigate these crimes fully. The loved ones of those who died have every right to know the truth, and the responsibility for investigating these crimes falls squarely with the Libyan authorities.”
Earlier in March, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the discovery of the bodies of at least 65 migrants in southwest Libya. The Missing Migrant Project has recorded 15,682 missing migrants since 2014. Türk further emphasized, “The dehumanization of these individuals who are in a vulnerable situation continues to take place at the hands of both state and non-state actors, often working in collusion.”
The perilous conditions faced by refugees and migrants along routes across East and West Africa toward the Mediterranean are well-documented. They encounter significant dangers including gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, trafficking, and torture, amidst widespread human rights violations. Regional and international cooperation is urgently needed to address this humanitarian crisis effectively.
Referencing a report released last week by the Office for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Türk appealed to border authorities to safeguard migrants: “I urge the Libyan authorities to adopt a comprehensive legal and policy framework on refugees and migrants that is in line with Libya’s human rights and Refugee law obligations.”
Full details can be found in the original article on JURIST.