EU funds enable North African countries to push back Europe-bound migrants into the desert

An investigation carried out by Le Monde, Lighthouse Reports and seven international media outlets found that migrants are being arrested by the hundreds and deported to desert areas in Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania, Report informs.

“Human rights are being violated with the backing of the European Union's resources,” Le Monde said.

“Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania are the focus of much attention from the European Union (EU), as the bloc carries out its policy to combat unauthorized immigration. At a time when public opinion is tense, member states are divided and the political agenda is dominated by the rise of the far-right in many countries, Europe is mobilizing substantial resources to prevent sub-Saharan migrants from reaching the sea. The risk is that the aid provided to the governments of these North African countries is used for illegal practices and repeated human rights violations,” it added.