So about a month ago I watched a documentary about the modern-day slave trade that's going on in Libya. Yes, you heard right slavery still exists and I'm pretty sure many of you have heard about it. If you haven't let me bring you up to speed. Tripoli, Libya's capital, is the hotspot for many migrant Africans seeking refuge from their war-torn countries due to the political and economic crisis. Tripoli is a prime location for many migrants because of its proximity to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. These migrants, already despondent after having to leave their homes, are abducted by human traffickers or rounded up by government authorities and held in detention centers where they are subjected to forced labor and for the women prostitution. These "detention centers" are some of the worst living conditions I have ever seen. There are almost 300-400, rough estimate, living in centers smaller than an average backyard. They have little to no food and are sleeping literally like packed sardines. If this wasn't horrible enough some migrants will never get to see their homes again.
The European government has tough immigration laws prohibiting migrants from entering their country legally. They even supply the Libya authorities with boats and guns to help stop migrants from reaching their shores. What's astonishing about this fact is that hundreds to thousands of migrants have lost their lives trying to reach the European shores. The documentary showed how these government authorities would go out on boats and search for migrants who were packed on a tiny boat by the hundreds on the rough Mediterranean seas, only to bring them back to these "detention camps." Outrageous yes, but who's going to do anything about it?
These migrants don't have a voice and it is up to us to let their story be heard even if it becomes repetitive. I just thought I would be one of those voices to speak on the social injustices these people are facing. What about you?