The UN migration agency stated on Friday that a mass grave with a minimum of 65 bodies was found in the south-west region of Libya this week.
A representative from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that Libyan security forces discovered the mass grave.
The International Organization for Migration expressed deep shock and concern in a public declaration. The organization further stated that the details surrounding the fatalities are unclear, but it is suspected that the individuals died while being smuggled through the desert.
For over ten years, there has been a period of chaotic and dangerous conditions in Libya following the dethronement and death of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. This was fueled by a revolt supported by NATO, resulting in the country becoming an ideal environment for human smugglers and traffickers. These individuals have faced numerous accusations of mistreatment towards migrants.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed gratitude that Libyan officials have initiated a probe into the fatalities. They urged them to guarantee a respectful process of retrieving, identifying, and transporting the bodies of the deceased migrants, as well as informing and supporting their loved ones.
The representative stated that each report of a migrant who has gone missing or has died is a painful reminder for families who are desperately seeking information about their loved ones or coming to terms with the tragedy of their loss.
The consequences of not taking sufficient action can be seen in the rise of human fatalities and the troubling situations faced by migrants.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that these deaths highlight the pressing need to tackle the obstacles of illegal migration, including through a united effort to combat the smuggling and trafficking of people.
The statement mentioned that without established channels for lawful immigration, similar incidents will persist along this path. Therefore, creating regular pathways is necessary to prevent such tragedies.
In 2023, the Missing Migrants project by IOM documented a minimum of 3,129 incidents of deaths or disappearances along the Mediterranean path to Europe. This route has been observed to be the most fatal for migration globally.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) urged governments in countries along the migration route to increase collaboration in order to guarantee the protection and safety of migrants, regardless of their legal status, throughout all stages of their journeys.
Source: theguardian.com
