Africa: Migrants Abused, But Europe Turns Blind Eye

(Rome, September 13, 2006) The Libyan government subjects migrants, asylum seekers and refugees to serious human rights abuses, including beatings, arbitrary arrests and forced return, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The European Union is currently negotiating joint naval patrols with Libya to block migration. But EU members, including the frontline country of Italy, have failed to insist that Libya protect the rights of the hundreds of thousands of foreigners in the country. The 135-page report, "Stemming the Flow: Abuses Against Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees," documents how Libyan authorities have arbitrarily arrested undocumented foreigners, mistreated them in detention, and forcibly returned them to countries where they could face persecution or torture, such as Eritrea and Somalia. From 2003 to 2005, the government repatriated roughly 145,000 foreigners, according to official Libyan figures.

"Libya is not a safe country for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees," said Bill Frelick, director of refugee policy for Human Rights Watch. "The European Union is working with Libya to block these people from reaching Europe rather than helping them to get the protection they need."

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