By Blessing Chinagorom
The United Kingdom Government has expressed concern over recent discovery of multiple mass graves of migrants and the panel of experts’ final report which showed that trafficking networks in Libya are expanding.
This was the statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya recently.
She said UK support UNSMIL’s call for a full investigation into these discoveries, encouraged Libyan leaders to engage with UN and humanitarian community to end impunity for those who trade in human suffering.
The UK appealed to the authority to ensure all migrants and refugees are treated in accordance with international human rights law.
She said, “Until a unifying political agreement is achieved in Libya, it will be impossible to unlock its great potential while urged the Libya’s leaders to engage seriously with SRSG Tetteh and UNSMIL’s political process, in the interests of all Libyans.
It was reported that Libyan authorities have discovered two mass graves in the southeastern city of Kufra, highlighting the ongoing human trafficking crisis in the region. 
The first grave, found on Friday, contained 19 bodies, while a second, larger grave was uncovered after a raid on a trafficking center, with at least 30 bodies recovered and reports suggesting up to 70 victims.
Migrants attempting to reach Europe through Libya continue to face extreme dangers, as the country remains in turmoil following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi.
Also, gunshot wounds have been discovered on some of the bodies of migrants, refugees recently discovered in mass graves in Libya, the United Nations says.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) expressed “shock and concern” on Monday over the discovery of the two mass graves, saying that they were found by authorities following a police raid which saw hundreds rescued from people traffickers.
According to the IOM, 19 bodies were discovered in Jakharrah, located around 250 miles (400km) south of Benghazi. At least 30 more were found in a mass grave in desert region of southeastern Kufra, which could contain as many as 70 bodies.
While gunshot wounds were discovered on some bodies, confirming previous reports from Al-Abreen, a charity helping refugees in the country, the exact circumstances of the deaths were unknown, said the UN agency.
Report further confirmed that mass graves of migrants are tragically common in Libya, where human traffickers exploit the ongoing instability and lack of central governance.
Libya serves as a key transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East, with criminal networks smuggling people through its porous borders with Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia.
The recent discoveries underscore the dire humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for international intervention to address human trafficking and migrant safety.
