On Point/WBUR (11/29/17)

Slaves on the auction block in 2017 in North Africa. We’re joined by CNN reporters who helped expose it in Libya, and a New Yorker writer who’s also chronicled migrant exploitation.

Guests:

• Nima Elbagir, senior international correspondent for CNN. (@NimaCNN)
• Raja Razek, CNN journalist. (@rajarazek)
• Ben Taub, staff writer for the New Yorker. (@BenTaub91)

Link to 47-Minute Audio and 6+-Minute Video

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People For Sale: Where Lives Are Auctioned Off For $400

CNN

“‘Eight hundred,’ says the auctioneer. ‘900 … 1,000 … 1,100 …’ Sold. For 1,200 Libyan dinars — the equivalent of $800.

Not a used car, a piece of land, or an item of furniture. Not ‘merchandise’ at all, but two human beings.

One of the unidentified men being sold in the grainy cell phone video obtained by CNN is Nigerian. He appears to be in his twenties and is wearing a pale shirt and sweatpants.

He has been offered up for sale as one of a group of “big strong boys for farm work,” according to the auctioneer, who remains off camera. Only his hand — resting proprietorially on the man’s shoulder — is visible in the brief clip.”

After seeing footage of this slave auction, CNN worked to verify its authenticity and traveled to Libya to investigate further. …

Read the Rest and 7-Minute Video