Declaration on Acts of Slavery and the Black Treaty in Libya and other Countries

On the margins of the 5th AU-EU Summit, 29 and 30 November 2017

1. The Committee of Observers on Human Rights -CODHO is a non-governmental organization with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2017, and Observer Status with the African Commission Human Rights and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) of the African Union since 2006.

2. On the margins of the Fifth Summit between the African Union and the European Union (AU-EU), which is taking place on 29 and 30 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, CODHO makes the present Declaration.

3. Condemns with the utmost energy the acts of slavery and trafficking of black human beings in Libya in particular, but also in other countries, particularly in North Africa, South Africa, Chad, Europe, in Asia, and in the Middle East.

4. RECOGNIZES that acts of slavery and trafficking against black human beings in Libya in particular are supported, encouraged and funded by Strategies, Agreements or Conventions, and cooperation or financing by and / or with third States and International Organizations with the authorities of Libya and those of the countries of the aforementioned regions.

5. WELCOMES the condemnation of acts of slavery and trafficking against black human beings in Libya in particular by the Security Council, the Secretary-General, the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights. United Nations Human Rights Commission, the African Union Commission, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the European Union, France, the United States of America, the United Kingdom , China, Russia, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Senegal, Luxembourg, etc.

6. URGES African and European Union Heads of State and Government, the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations to disengage, all ceasing and in public, from any Strategy and Agreement or Political Agreement and cooperation or financing with the authorities of Libya in particular, but also with the other countries of the aforementioned regions, which visibly support, encourage and finance acts of trafficking and slavery against black human beings wherever they occur. DEMANDS condemnation of acts of slavery and trafficking in persons, particularly against black human beings wherever they occur; and make political commitments to prevent, punish and punish acts of slavery and trafficking in persons, especially those black people in Libya in particular, but also in other countries, particularly in North Africa, South Africa, Chad, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

7. Also urges the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations in Libya in particular, but also in other countries, including North Africa, South Africa, Chad, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East on current allegations of alleged acts of slavery and trafficking in black people. URGES the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council, at the global level, to further investigate allegations of acts of slavery and black human trafficking in countries in particular in North Africa, South Africa, Chad, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East; and at the regional level, to the African Union to order black investigations in Libya in particular, but also in the countries of North Africa, Chad and South Africa.

8. FURTHER, CODHO welcomes this timely summit when international news is occupied by the scandalous acts of slave trade and slavery of blacks in Libya particularly, but also in other countries, particularly in North Africa, Chad, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. CODHO also welcomes the theme chosen for this fifth AU-EU summit in Abidjan, namely "Investing in Youth for a Sustainable Future". But also other topics on the agenda, including: peace and security; governance, including democracy, human rights, migration and mobility; investment and trade; skills development; job creation.
   CODHO notes that 2017 is a decisive year for relations between the AU and the EU, ten years after the adoption of the Africa-EU Joint Strategy. Also that "The AUEU Summit will mark a decisive date and opportunity to strengthen political and economic ties between the two continents. At the summit, African and European leaders will look at the future of EU-Africa relations, with a focus on investing in youth. This is a priority for Africa as the EU, with 60% of the African population under 25 years of age.”

9. CODHO remains seized and will always inform the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and France about the allegations of acts of slavery and human trafficking, particularly in Libya, against human beings in other countries, including North Africa, Chad, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Done in Paris on 29/11/2017.