An Amnesty International report has blamed Malta for using "ever more despicable and illegal tactics" to turn away migrants and refugees from North Africa. The rights group also criticised Maltese authorities for signing a new agreement with Libya to stop migrants and refugees leaving the conflict-ridden country. "Malta is stooping to ever more despicable and illegal tactics to shirk their responsibilities to people in need," Amnesty researcher Elisa De Pieri said. Malta and Italy have long said they are disproportionately affected by Europe-bound sea migration from North Africa, and that there is insufficient burden-sharing across the European Union. Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that migrants stuck in Libya, or forcibly returned there, are exposed to torture, exploitation and abuse.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 08, 2020 17:03 UTC