S. Africa condemns alleged slave trade of African migrants in Libya

CAPE TOWN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Thursday joined the international community in strongly condemning the alleged auctioning of African migrants in Libya as slaves.

This came after a video of slaves apparently being auctioned in Libya had gone viral on social media.

"These inhumane acts are incongruent with the ideals of the African Union and relevant African and international instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights," said Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

South Africa calls for an immediate end to these atrocities and other criminal acts of human trafficking, Monyela said.

The Libyan authorities have pledged to investigate reports that hundreds of African refugees are being bought and sold in "slave markets" across Libya every week, with many of them held for ransom or forced into prostitution and sexual exploitation to pay their captors and smugglers.

South Africa welcomes the announcement by the Libyan authorities to investigate and identify all the perpetrators and accomplices of these criminal acts and looks forward to a transparent and credible investigation, Monyela said.

Publishing the outcome of the investigation will be the most prudent and welcome thing to do by the Libyan authorities, he added.

"We further urge the Libyan authorities to do everything in their power to improve the conditions of African migrants in the camps meant to house migrants on their territory," said Monyela.

South Africa will continue its work to eradicate human trafficking and support international efforts to bring those who abuse vulnerable people to justice, he said.

"We will continue to champion the respect for human rights, especially those of our fellow African brothers and sisters," said Monyela. Enditem