CNN Freedom Project: Slave Trade
VANIER: Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Cyril Vanier. Let's look at your headlines this hour.</s>VANIER: Cries of "No to slavery" filled the streets outside the Libyan embassy in Paris over the weekend. The demonstration came just days after a CNN exclusive report shone a light on auctions in Libya, where human beings are bought and sold. Following our report, Libya's government said that it launched a formal investigation into the migrant slave trade, which will be overseen by its anti-illegal immigration agency. Officials say their goal is find those who have been sold, bring them to safety and then return them to their countries of origin. During CNN's investigation, Nima Elbagir and her team witnessed a dozen men, sold like commodities at auction. Here's part of her report.</s>NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We were ushered into one of two auctions happened on the same night. Crouch at the back of the yard. A flood light obscuring much of the scene. One by one men are brought out as the bidding begins - 400, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700. Very quickly it's over. We ask if we can speak to the men, the auctioneer, seen here refuses. We ask again if we can speak to them, if we can help them. No, he says. The auction is over with. And we are asked to leave. That was over very quickly. We walked in and as soon as we walked in, the men started covering their faces. But they clearly wanted to finish what they were doing. And they kept bringing out what they kept referring to in Arabic as the merchandise. All in all, they admit that had there were 12 Nigeriens that were sold in front of us. And -- I honestly don't know what to say. That was probably one of the most unbelievable things I have ever seen.</s>VANIER: CNN was told of auctions at nine locations throughout Libya. But many more are believed to take place each month. CNN's Robyn Kriel now has more on the impact of this investigation.</s>ROBYN KRIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Images from Libya that shocked the world. An exclusive CNN investigation that revealed the ugly slave trade that's happening on Europe's doorstep. For the past year, a CNN team has $worked tirelessly to shine a light on this dark practice. And the scenes they filmed inside Libya have provoked both protest and promises of action. On the streets of Paris, hundreds of demonstrators shout, "No to slavery," demanding that Libyan authorities investigate, which they say they will do. Protesters could barely contain their anger. The leader of the African Union, Alpha Conde, also reacted harshly. "On behalf of the African Union, I express my outrage at the despicable trade of migrants currently taking place in Libya and strongly condemn this practice of another age." As thousands continue to make the perilous journey from Libya to Europe, the International Organization for Migration warns that smuggling networks in Libya are, quote, "growing stronger, more organized and better equipped," all of which allows the hidden horrors to flourish. A glimpse inside a nightmare many didn't even realize still existed in the 21st century -- Robyn Kriel, CNN.</s>VANIER: Opium production in Afghanistan is up 87 percent this year. That's according to a new U.N. report, which calls the increase "frightening." Opium is a major source of cash for the Taliban insurgency. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh filmed this next report back in July, taking a close look at the reasons for the uptick in the drug's production.</s>NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Heroin, setting Afghanistan aflame, its opium fields targeted for eradication. Just as it tears up America's streets in the new opioid crisis, both the misery and the money here.</s>WALSH (voice-over): Even the sparkle from the solar panels</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We also believe this year, we might have a bit higher</s>WALSH (voice-over): Only about 1 percent of America's heroin is Afghan; most of it hitting Europe. But that could change.</s>WALSH (voice-over): Syrian field that hide a potential time bomb, the heroin spread in the West -- Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Helmand, Afghanistan.</s>VANIER: Still to come on the show, in a medical emergency, the fight to survive is much harder when there's no hospital close by. Next, we'll take you to a town that's been dealing with that terrifying problem for years now. Stay with us.