A new report by Human Rights Watch has brought to light serious human rights violations in Mauritania, where security forces are accused of abusing West and Central African migrants and asylum seekers. These alleged abuses occurred between 2020 and early 2025, coinciding with increased European Union efforts to curb irregular migration. The report, titled “They Accused Me of Trying to Go to Europe: Migration Control Abuses and EU Externalization in Mauritania,” meticulously documents incidents of torture, rape, arbitrary detention, and inhumane conditions.
Migrants recount harrowing experiences of being beaten, deprived of basic necessities, and expelled to remote border regions in Mali and Senegal, often without any legal process. Among those subjected to these abuses were children and registered asylum seekers. Notably, the expulsions of migrants are reported to have intensified in 2025, correlating with the receipt of substantial funding from the EU and Spain aimed at stemming migration flows. Reports indicate that 46,843 individuals reached Spain’s Canary Islands in 2024, with many departing from Mauritania.
The European Union’s partnership with Mauritania, particularly a €210 million agreement in 2024, alongside Spain’s direct assistance through the deployment of police forces, is seen as having incentivized the Mauritanian authorities’ harsh tactics against migrants. Spanish officers were allegedly present during some of the enforcement actions, complicating the EU’s stance on human rights.
Despite these disturbing allegations, the report does acknowledge progress in some areas. Mauritania’s government has provided refuge to over 176,000 individuals, predominantly from Mali, and has recently adopted national procedures to improve the handling of migrants, introducing bans on collective expulsions and commitments to medical screenings. These efforts are seen as preliminary steps toward rights-respecting migration management, yet the reforms remain tenuous.
Lauren Seibert, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, emphasized the opportunities for positive change, suggesting that Mauritania could lead North Africa in humane migration management. However, she underscores the responsibility of the EU and Spain to ensure their collaborations with Mauritania do not inadvertently support further abuses.
While efforts are underway to prioritize a “human rights-based approach” in migration policy, the balance between security and human rights remains delicate. The proactive stance by Mauritania, combined with international oversight, is critical in ensuring that humane treatment is afforded to all migrants and asylum seekers navigating its borders.