The fifth African Union-European Union (AU-EU) summit kicked off on Wednesday in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, against a backdrop of global outcry about reports of alleged slave dealing in Libya, which was exposed by the news network CNN earlier this month.
The Politico website reports that declaration will be signed by EU and AU leaders that “[demands] the opening without delay of a thorough, credible and independent investigation into the alleged sale at auctions of African migrants.”
The shocking footage broadcast on CNN earlier this month, but filmed in October, threw a spotlight on a trade which is apparently widespread in the failed state. The video shows a dozen people sold at an auction in the Libyan capital Tripoli in just seven minutes.
“Does anybody need a digger? This is a digger, a big strong man, he’ll dig,” the ‘auctioneer’ says. “What am I bid, what am I bid?” while bidders raise their hands and the prices rise: “500, 550, 600, 650 ...” Within minutes all the men have been sold and leave with their new ‘owners’.
CNN reported that the men were sold for the equivalent of just $400 each, and that the network knew of at least nine locations in the country where similar auctions were taking place – some which were in territory held by the Government of National Accord (GNA).
Other such slave markets are suspected to take place in areas of the country which are held by rebel militias, including those affiliated to Isil.
Many of the people trafficked in such a fashion are believed to be migrants who have not been able to make the crossing from Africa to Europe, having been rescued at sea by the Libyan coast guard and returned to the country.
There was horrified reaction from across the world to the CNN reports. The United Nations secretary-general António Guterres described the auctions as one of “the most egregious abuses of human rights” that he had witnessed and could even be crimes against humanity.
“I abhor these appalling acts and call upon all competent authorities to investigate these activities without delay and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Guterres said. “I have asked the relevant United Nations actors to actively pursue this matter.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also called the auctions “a crime against humanity” and pressed for sanctions against the government in Tripoli, while Ghassan Salame, head of the United Nations Mission in Libya also demanded answers from the GNA.
“The Libyan Government must address comprehensively this outrage to the conscience of humanity. The international community cannot continue to turn a blind eye (to) this already dire situation,” Salame added.
Perhaps the highest profile reaction to the reports came from Manchester United footballer Paul Pogba, who marked his goal against Newcastle United in the Premier League on November 18 by crossing his wrists as if they were shackled.
He later posted on Instagram that “While very happy to be back [from injury], my prayers go to those suffering slavery in Libya. May Allah be by your side and may this cruelty come to an end!”
Initially, the GNA reacted to the reports by launched an investigation into the auctions.
“[The] priorities of the investigation are not only to convict those responsible for these inhumane acts, but also to identify the location of those who have been sold in order to bring them to safety and return them to their countries of origin," Anes Alazabi, an official with the government’s Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency., told CNN.
Mohammed Bisher, the head of the agency said that detention facilities in Libya to hold migrants rescued at sea were full and asked for help from African Union states where the refugees were coming from.
“We are 278 million Libyan dinars (nearly $210 million) in debt. We have to provide food, medicine, transportation... If the African Union wants to help, they can help,” Bisher told CNN.
Removing the migrants who are especially susceptible to human traffickers and slave traders by deporting them to their home nations was “a logistical problem between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the embassy representatives. We are ready to deport at any time,” Bisher continued.
“The countries these migrants came from did not take them back or contribute help for them inside Libya... We have only deported 5% of the 20,000 in the detention centers because of the lack of response from the governments of where these people are from.”
In recent days however the GNA has taken a more hostile approach to the reports; diplomats in Africa claimed that they were attempting to
Libyan diplomats in Africa have also hit back at the CNN reports, saying they were designed to damage the country’s global standing. Broadcaster Libya 218 seized on a tweet by US president Donald Trump that said “CNN International is still a major source of (Fake) news” and questioned the credibility of the network.
“Here the possibility arises that the channel has published the report of slavery in Libya to secure an as yet hidden political objective,” the channel said, according to The Guardian.
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
