UN Security Council concerned about slavery in Libya

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday expressed grave concern about reports of migrants being sold into slavery in Libya.

"The Security Council condemns such actions as heinous abuses of human rights which may also amount to crimes against humanity," said a statement of the council president.

The Security Council called on all relevant authorities to investigate such activities without delay to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold those responsible to account, said the statement.

The council also reiterated concern about the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons and welcomed the work of the UN Support Mission in Libya in coordinating and supporting the provision of humanitarian assistance for refugees and migrants.

The council emphasized that all migrants should be treated with humanity and dignity and that their rights should be fully respected, and urged the Libyan authorities and all UN member states to comply with their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international refugee law. Enditem