WINDHOEK, The government of Namibia has resolutely condemned the inhumane and degrading practices against close to 30,000 African migrants reportedly being auctioned as slaves in Libya.

The government, stating this in a media statement issued through the Ministry of International Relations and Co-oporation (MIRC) here, added: “In the Africa we want, there should be no place of any form of slavery, including modern slavery.”

The government also welcomed the Libyan authorities’ strong condemnation of these practices and the undertaking that Libya would take the necessary measures against those involved and provide the necessary co-operation for the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“We also trust that the high authorities of Libya will do everything possible to arrest this new dreaded phenomenon, bringing all those directly involved to justice,” said the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, in the statement.

The Namibian government recalled the international community’s commitments contained in the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on the Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants which took place in 2016 in New York.

“The declaration serves as a rallying call by member States to, amongst others, increase in assisting the aforementioned victims, addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing responsibility-sharing between countries of origin and receiving,” the statement noted.

A video of men appearing to be sold at auction in Libya last month shocked the world and focused international attention on the exploitation of migrants and refugees in the North African country. The footage and subsequent investigation conducted by Cable News Network (CNN) rallied European and African leaders to take action to stop the abuses.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK