TRIPOLI, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Libya's National Commission for Human Rights on Saturday criticized CNN for its recent "exaggerated" report on migrant slave auction markets in Libya.
CNN published a report earlier this week of auctions in different parts of Libya, where stranded African migrants are sold as slaves for as little as 400 U.S. dollars.
"We express our deep resentment at the false and exaggerated information in the report published by CNN, which wrote about the open slave markets in several Libyan cities, including Tripoli," the Commission said in a statement.
"Contrary to what CNN has published, slave trade in Libya is secret and limited," said the statement.
"The National Human Rights Commission in Libya expresses concern about the policies, attitude and statements of the European Union in general and Italy in particular, which seek to exaggerate the suffering and tragedy of migrants and refugees in Libya," the statement added.
The Commission also condemned "grave and shameful crimes and violations committed against African migrants and refugees in Libya by organized criminal gangs and human traffickers."
The Commission demanded the Libyan Attorney General and the Ministries of Interior and Justice to "start a comprehensive investigation into the crimes and violations against migrants and refugees."
Libya is a preferred point of departure for immigrants, mostly Sub-Saharan Africans, who wish to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores, due to the insecurity and chaos in the north African country following the 2011 uprising.
Migrants rescued by the Libyan navy are detained in housing centers and shelters with poor living conditions.
