Amnesty International welcomes UN Security Council sanctions on human traffickers in Libya

Amnesty International’s North Africa campaign Director Najia Bounaim said the decision by the UN Security Council to sanction six prominent human traffickers and smugglers is a welcome first step towards justice for the thousands of migrants and refugees who have found themselves at the mercy of such individuals in Libya.

“These six men are accused of some of the most heinous crimes imaginable against women, men and children, including trading them and sending them to their deaths at sea.” Bounaim added.

“These sanctions send a clear message that those who exploit the situation of vulnerable people will not go unnoticed.” He remarked.

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday sanctioned six people for involvement in human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in Libya after Russia lifted a hold it had set on the request for action against the individuals.

The six people listed are Mus’Ab Abu-Qarin, Mohammed Kachlaf, Abd Al Rahman Al-Milad, Ermias Ghermay, Fitiwi Abdelrazak and Ahmad Oumar Al-Dabbashi, Reuters reported.