Senator Jamaal T. Bailey Statement on Libya

The modern day slavery that is occurring in Libya is horrifying. Migrants with hope for a better life are finding themselves being captured and sold into labor or sex slavery. These migrants are coming from neighboring countries such as Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, and Chad.

The continuous unrest in Libya originates from prior to the Gaddafi era but has gotten worse post Gaddafi. The current government in Libya controls only approximately half of the country. The other half is split between multiple militia groups who are responsible for the modern day slavery that is taking place. Libya has been named a failed country because of its current anarchical state. Earlier this month, the United Nations declared that it is considering imposing sanctions against the people involved in the slave trade. Currently, in France, there have been protests and rallies because of the lack of action regarding this human rights issue. The French Ambassador to the UN has been highly vocal in assisting the UN sanctions committee and identifying the individuals responsible.

The UN has labeled the slave trade that is occurring in Libya as a humanitarian crisis. There is currently pressure being placed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to press charges against these militia groups. Although the U.S. is not a member state of the ICC, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, and President Trump, have the ability to refer the issue to the ICC in order to prosecute these individuals.

Our community here in the 36th Senatorial District has a large number of immigrants from Africa. We ask that you inform your families and make everyone aware of this crisis that is not as heavily reported, as it should be. Due to lack of resources, many people from these neighboring countries surrounding Libya are left in the dark and unaware of what could await them in their journey.