UN MIGRATION AGENCY RAISES ALARM OVER MASS GRAVES FOUND IN LIBYA

GENEVA, Feb 10 (Bernama-AA) - The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Monday expressed shock and concern over the discovery of two mass graves in Libya containing the bodies of scores of migrants, Anadolu Agency reported.

The UN agency said in a statement that 19 bodies, some with gunshot wounds, were discovered in Jikharra, about 440 kilometres southeast of Benghazi, while at least 30 more were found in a mass grave in the Al-Kufra desert in the southeast. It said the second grave may contain as many as 70 bodies.

Saying that the circumstances of their deaths and nationalities remain unknown, it added that the gravesites were discovered following a police raid that rescued hundreds of migrants from traffickers.

“The loss of these lives is yet another tragic reminder of the dangers faced by migrants embarking on perilous journeys,” said Nicoletta Giordano, IOM Libya chief of mission. “Far too many migrants along these journeys endure severe exploitation, violence, and abuse, underscoring the need to prioritise human rights and protect those at risk.”

Acknowledging the Libyan authorities’ efforts to investigate the deaths, the IOM also urged them to “ensure a dignified recovery, identification, and transfer of the remains of the deceased migrants, while notifying and assisting their families.”

Last March, the bodies of 65 migrants were found in a mass grave in southwestern Libya.

According to IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, out of the 965 recorded deaths and disappearances in Libya in 2024, more than 22% occurred on land routes.

“IOM urges all governments and authorities along the route to strengthen regional collaboration to safeguard and protect migrants, irrespective of their status, throughout all stages of their journeys,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA-AA