Migrants face grim ordeal: UN warns of human rights abuses on journey to Europe

The latest United Nations report indicates that migrants fleeing war, poverty, and climate change undergo horrific conditions before they even have the chance to board a dinghy, and once again risk their lives trying to reach southern Europe.

Slavery, sexual violence, torture, and abduction by organ traffickers are among the threats faced by migrants in Africa who are fleeing north, according to the latest UN report described by "Deutsche Welle".

The United Nations warns that in at least two countries along the migration route, refugees are being abducted and sedated. "They wake up and are missing a kidney," reports Vincent Cochetel from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Geneva.

"It is estimated that there are thousands of such cases. UNHCR does not specify the names of these countries, but Egypt and Libya are mentioned in reports," writes "DW".

Aid organisations report that what has been warned about for years is happening. Climate change, causing water shortages, combined with armed conflicts, is leading to an increasing number of people in Africa leaving their homes.

Additionally, the number of rejected refugees by neighbouring countries is increasing due to shrinking resources. Therefore, they embark on a more dangerous, longer journey. "Exact statistics are not available. However, in 2023, UNHCR registered over three times more refugees in Tunisia than in 2020," reports dw.com.

The report indicates that over 23,500 people have died in the Mediterranean Sea from 2014 to today. An equal number is believed to have lost their lives trying to reach the southern shores of the basin. The report was based on interviews with about 30,000 people from 2020 to 2023.