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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 13 december 2017
Amnesty accuses EU of complicity in Libya migrant abuse

BRUSSELS (AP) — European crossing.
Union countries are com- The moves have trapped
plicit in the abuse of mi- an estimated 20,000 mi-
grants held in Libya, Am- grants in Libya, where de-
nesty International said in tention facilities are over-
a report released Tuesday crowded and unsanitary,
that accused the EU of Amnesty International said.
turning a blind eye to al- EU officials have rejected
legedly brutal tactics of criticism of Europe’s ap-
the Libyan coast guard proach to curbing immi-
and dangerous detention gration and say the bloc’s
facilities. money has been chan-
The human rights group neled into Libya through
also alleged that the Liby- United Nations agencies.
an coast guard accepted Only about 150 of Libya’s
kickbacks from smugglers 3,000 coast guard mem-
to let migrant boats leave bers have received train-
for Europe. Amnesty said it ing sponsored by the bloc,
had video and other doc- the EU said.
umentary evidence that a The EU’s border agency,
boat donated by Italy was Frontex, reported Mon-
involved in an interception day that the number of
operation in which up to 50 migrants making it to Eu-
people drowned. rope through the central African refugees and migrants, mostly from Sudan and Senegal, wait for assistance aboard a
“European governments Mediterranean route from rubber boat out of control, 25 miles north of Sabratha, off the Libyan coast. Rights group Amnesty
have not just been fully Libya to Italy dropped by International on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 accused European Union countries of being ‘knowingly
aware of these abuses,” one-third during the first complicit’ in the detention and abuse of thousands of migrants detained in appalling conditions
Amnesty Europe Director 11 months of the year, in Libya. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)
John Dalhuisen said. “By to around 116,400, com-
actively supporting the Lib- pared to the same period was based on interviews viewed video, photo- a boat Italy donated to
yan authorities in stopping in 2016. Most were Nigeri- with dozens of migrants graphs and documents Libya’s coast guard failed
sea crossings and con- ans, Frontex said. and officials. showing that in at least to deploy lifeboats for mi-
taining people in Libya, Amnesty said the report The group said it also re- one incident, the crew of grants it encountered.q
they are complicit in these
crimes.”
Overwhelmed by the ar- New PM:
rival of more than 1 million
has worked with Libya and Poland needs to protect its national interests
migrants in 2015, the EU
its neighbors to cut off the
main migration route from By M. SCISLOWSKA even while being a mem- the helm of the same rul- seen as going against EU
Africa to Europe. Its strat- Associated Press ber of the European Union, ing Law and Justice party values. “Dear Europe, Po-
egy has including train- WARSAW, Poland (AP) — the country’s new prime team. Poland has devel- land’s piece fits into the Eu-
ing and equipping Libya’s Poland “fits the European minister said Tuesday. A oped a number of conflicts ropean puzzle for sure, but
coast guard to stop boats puzzle” and should be al- 49-year-old former interna- with EU leaders who have it mustn’t be placed the
trying to make the danger- lowed to protect its nation- tional banker, Morawiecki threatened punitive ac- wrong way or by force,”
ous Mediterranean Sea al interests and character succeeds Beata Szydlo at tions to curb Polish moves Morawiecki said.q