Migrants face abuse and kidnappings: IOM chief

Libya has emerged as the North African country where migrants face the greatest challenges, including kidnappings and abuse at the hands of smugglers and militias, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) chief Amy Pope told AFP.

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Most of the migrants who have died in the Mediterranean had departed from Libya, the IOM director general said, making the route itself especially risky. But even those who have yet to set off are vulnerable.

"We regularly hear reports from migrants about being kidnapped, being held for ransom, suffering abuse and assault" in Libya, Pope said during an interview in Rabat.

"I myself have heard many stories of migrants who've been detained by non-government actors and held for ransom or suffered abuse," she added.