EU deal fuelling Mauritania's abuse of migrants - rights group

EU Deal Fuelling Mauritania's Migrant Abuse, Warns Rights Group

A damning report released today by a prominent human rights organization accuses the European Union of indirectly enabling widespread abuses against migrants and asylum seekers in Mauritania, a key partner in the EU's efforts to curb irregular migration across the Mediterranean. The EU's substantial financial and technical support for Mauritania's border control and migration management, the report contends, has created a climate of impunity for its security forces, who are allegedly engaged in systematic rape, extortion, and torture.

"A Dangerous Enabling Relationship"

The report, titled "A Dangerous Enabling Relationship," meticulously details a pattern of severe human rights violations perpetrated by Mauritanian security forces against vulnerable individuals attempting to reach Europe. Researchers documented numerous testimonies from migrants and refugees, including harrowing accounts of sexual violence, beatings, arbitrary detention, and the confiscation of belongings. These abuses, the report argues, are a direct consequence of the EU's unwavering focus on externalizing its borders, often at the expense of human rights protections.

"The EU is effectively paying for its borders to be secured, but the price is being paid by the most vulnerable," stated Anya Sharma, lead investigator for the rights group. "We've seen evidence of systematic abuse, from sexual violence to torture, and it's happening with the tacit approval, or at least the willful ignorance, of European governments who are eager to stem the flow of people to their shores."

Mauritania, strategically located on the West African coast, has become a crucial transit point for migrants from across the Sahel region and beyond, many of whom are fleeing conflict, poverty, and climate change. The EU has provided millions of euros in funding and training to Mauritania's National Guard and other security agencies since 2015, aiming to bolster their capacity to detect and intercept migrant boats and dismantle smuggling networks.

Unchecked Power, Unpunished Crimes

However, the report highlights a critical flaw in this approach: the lack of robust oversight and accountability mechanisms for Mauritanian forces. While EU officials maintain that their funding is tied to adherence to human rights standards, the evidence on the ground suggests otherwise. The report points to instances where EU-funded equipment, such as vehicles and communication devices, has allegedly been used in operations that resulted in human rights violations.

One migrant, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, recounted his experience: "They took everything from us. They beat us, they insulted us. Some of the women... it was a nightmare. They knew we had no one to turn to. The Europeans want us to stay here, but they don't care what happens to us."

The report details specific allegations against Mauritanian border guards and gendarmes, including:

• Rape and Sexual Assault: Multiple female migrants reported being subjected to sexual violence by security personnel during interceptions or detention.
• Extortion: Migrants are allegedly forced to pay bribes to avoid detention or deportation, often losing their meager savings.
• Torture and Ill-Treatment: Accounts of beatings, mock executions, and inhumane detention conditions are rife.
• Forced Returns: Individuals who have expressed an intention to seek asylum are reportedly being summarily returned to their countries of origin, where they may face persecution.

The EU's Dilemma: Borders vs. Values

The EU faces a difficult dilemma. On one hand, it is under immense political pressure to reduce irregular arrivals and demonstrate a commitment to border security. On the other, it champions human rights and the rule of law as core European values. This report suggests that the pursuit of the former is actively undermining the latter.

"The EU's policy seems to be driven by a 'less arrivals, less problems' mentality, without truly grappling with the human cost," commented Dr. Elias Vance, a migration policy analyst. "When you delegate border control to countries with weak human rights records and insufficient oversight, you are creating a fertile ground for abuse. The EU needs to ask itself if the reduction in numbers is worth the systematic violation of fundamental rights."

The report calls on the EU to immediately suspend or re-evaluate its security assistance to Mauritania unless concrete and verifiable steps are taken to end these abuses. It also urges for greater transparency in EU-funded migration programs and the establishment of independent monitoring mechanisms. Furthermore, it advocates for the EU to increase safe and legal pathways for migration, thereby reducing the reliance on dangerous irregular routes and the exploitation that often accompanies them.

The Mauritanian government has consistently denied allegations of widespread human rights abuses, stating that its security forces operate within the law. However, international observers and human rights groups have long raised concerns about the country's treatment of migrants.

As the debate over migration continues to dominate European politics, this report serves as a stark reminder that the policies implemented at the EU's external borders have profound and often devastating consequences for the individuals caught in the middle. The question remains: will the EU heed these warnings, or will its pursuit of border security continue to fuel a system of abuse?