Audio By Carbonatix
Three men stormed a factory in Tripoli, doused a Nigerian worker in petrol, and set him on fire, according to a statement by the Libyan interior ministry, in a new reported attack on migrants in the north African country.
The United Nations has described the man's death "another senseless crime against migrants in the country."
A statement by Tripoli's interior ministry on Wednesday said the suspects -- all Libyan nationals -- had been detained for the attack on the man, who has not been named.
The ministry cited witness testimony that described the men storming the factory and setting the Nigerian man on fire.
"We are horrified by the killing of a Nigerian migrant worker in Tripoli, #Libya by three men yesterday. The young man was burned alive, in yet again another senseless crime against migrants in the country," tweeted Federico Soda, head of the UN's International Organization of Migration mission in Libya. "Those responsible must be held to account."
War-torn Libya has repeatedly been accused of being a hostile environment for migrants and refugees, many of whom pass through the country in an attempt to reach safer shores in Europe.
Many of these migrants are intercepted by European authorities and returned to Libya.
Last month, Amnesty International released a report detailing "horrific cycles of abuses" of migrants in Libya, including unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and rape.
The rights group says that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the abuse.
"Instead of being protected, they are met with a catalogue of appalling human rights abuses and now unfairly for the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic on deeply racist and xenophobic grounds," said Diana Eltahawy, the rights group's Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said in the report.
"Despite this, even in 2020 the EU and its member states continue to implement policies trapping tens of thousands of men, women and children in a vicious cycle of abuse, showing callous disregard for people's lives and dignity."
In August, over 45 migrants died in a shipwreck off of the Libyan coast. More than 7,000 people making the perilous journey have been returned to Libya in 2020, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
Thousands of these are believed to end up in detention centers in parts of Libya controlled by the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli.
In 2017, a CNN team witnessed a dozen men being sold in a slave auction in Libya, which opened an investigation into the slave markets.
Latest Stories
-
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion  Â
53 minutes -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
55 minutes -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
1 hour -
Kind Hearted Beings Charity spreads joy during festive season
1 hour -
Gun Amnesty: Take advantage before it expires on January 15 – Interior Ministry
1 hour -
KNUST College of Engineering deepens industry partnerships to drive innovation and national development
2 hours -
Mammoth crowd turned up for 2025 edition of Joy FM’s Family Party in the Park
2 hours -
NDC can’t change the constitution alone – Minority MPs hold key role, says Barker-Vormawor
3 hours -
Parents of Persons with Disabilities call for affordable rehabilitation servicesÂ
3 hours -
Barker-Vormawor urges President Mahama to lead constitutional reform implementation
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe calls for abolition of ex gratia payments, excessive benefits for public officeholders
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe backs review of presidential immunity provisions in Ghana’s constitution
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe opposes presidential term extension
4 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe: On Ghana’s constitution review and the future of democratic governance
4 hours -
Victoria Bright supports lowering presidential age limit to 30
4 hours
