Trafficking in Persons ReportLIBYA Libya is considered a special case because press, media, and NGO reports indicate a significant human trafficking problem within its territory, although the U.S. Government has not had a diplomatic presence in Libya during the reporting period that would permit confirmation of these reports. Libya recently engaged with other affected countries to combat illegal smuggling, including human trafficking. Most reports depict Libya as a transit country for men, women, and children from Africa and Asia who come to the country in the hope of eventually transiting to Europe. Most Africans arrive via the arduous journey through the Sahara. Last summer, about 200 Africans attempting to reach Europe perished in the waters of the Mediterranean when their boat capsized. In the summer of 2003, there were reports of as many as 2,600 Africans arriving into Italy each month by boat. These victims on average pay $800-$1,000 to their smugglers, some of whom may be forced to work as prostitutes, laborers, and beggars to pay the debt incurred in their trafficking. There are also reports of a sizable expatriate community in Libya, including 600,000 Sub-Saharan Africans, some of whom may be trafficking victims. Government Action. Due to lack of information the extent of the Libyan Government’s efforts to fight trafficking is not clear, but its joint and active collaborations with other affected countries indicate that Libya is making significant efforts to fight human trafficking. In 2003, Italy and Libya signed an agreement to jointly patrol their territorial waters to curb trafficking. In February 2004, the Libyan Government extradited a major Eritrean human trafficker to Italy, after the Italian Government issued a warrant for her arrest. In 2003, press reports indicated 14,000 illegal arrivals in Sicily, the seizure of 195 ships and the arrest of 72 smugglers (some of whom maybe traffickers) by Italian authorities. In 2004, the Nigerian police handed over 20 of its nationals to Nigerian anti-trafficking authorities for further investigations and prosecution. The victims were on their way to Libya via the Niger Republic. Areas for Improvement. The Government of Libya, given the extensive trafficking within its territory, should provide more information to help determine the extent of the problem as well as evaluate its anti-trafficking efforts. It should also continue cooperating with source and destination countries on anti-trafficking efforts. Libya should similarly cooperate with the International Organization for Migration and NGOs active in the fight against human trafficking. |
 | |||
|
