On Dec. 19, the first refugees from Libya arrived in Paris after France made a declaration to help those caught in a present-day slave trade.
CNN reported that the French government “stepped up its fight against slavery as the first group of refugees rescued from Libya touched down Tuesday in Paris from Niger.”
France is not the only country involved in freeing slaves from Libyan slave traders. Many EU nations and African countries have committed to helping people who have been caught by slave traders. Before December, EU and African leaders met to discuss the best way to go about freeing people from Libyan detention centers.
Time Magazine explains, “On Wednesday, Libya reached a deal with EU and African leaders to allow the emergency repatriation of refugees and migrants facing abuse in its detention centers. The government also agreed to open a transit center for vulnerable refugees after months of negotiations, according to Reuters. The center is intended to safely house people before they are resettled or sent to a third country.”
Many refugees are caught by the slave traders while trying to escape Libya without any outside government intervention to rescue people from being captured. Yet, it’s not all Libya’s fault people are being put into detention camps and slavery. Libya has called out hypocrisy on the part of the European Union, stating that the EU told them to intercept ships full of refugees heading to Europe so they wouldn’t have to deal with migrants and potential threats.
Per The Telegraph, “Earlier this month, the UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said the EU’s ‘policy of assisting the Libyan coastguard to intercept and return migrants in the Mediterranean [is] inhuman.’”
The president of France announced his intention to help Libyan refugees get out of slavery after watching a video posted on CNN.
CNN reports, “French President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan in the aftermath of CNN releasing video footage that showed migrants being sold into slavery in the North African country, some for as little as $400 each.”
News of Libyan refugees fleeing violence in their home country only to be taken captive and put into slavery made headlines last fall. The realization of a present-day slave trade sparked talks by the UN. One leader, Moussa Faki Mahamat estimates there are hundreds of thousands of refugees in Libya.
The Washington Post explains, “One of the African Union’s top officials, Moussa Faki Mahamat, told the gathered leaders [of the UN] that by his organization’s estimates, there could be anywhere between 400,000 to 700,000 African migrants stuck in Libya against their will. The plans drafted Wednesday indicate that the first evacuation push will target 3,800 migrants.”
Antonio Guterres, the Attorney General of the UN said the only way for migrants to go back to their own country is to improve the conditions of the countries they fled.
The Telegraph reports, “‘We will not put an end to the tragedy in the Mediterranean if we do not create significant, legal migration opportunities. We must also ensure that people can find a dignified future in their home country,’ he said during the meeting.”
Youth With a Mission Sicily is helping refugees from Libya, providing for the needs of those seeking refuge in Italy.
Pray for an end to the slave trade in Libya and for more nations to join in rescuing those in detention centers.
Pray for Libyans in Sicily to continue to have their needs met by YWAM and for them to see God’s love.