EU fund to curb African migration to Europe deemed “ineffective” and blind to human rights abuses

The European Court of Auditors has published a critical assessment of a $5.5 billion fund aimed at reducing irregular migration from Africa to Europe, according to The Guardian.

The EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, established in 2015 by European leaders, was designed to address the root causes of irregular migration. However, the audit concluded that the fund has failed in its objective. The report also noted that significant human rights abuses associated with migration have been ignored.

"Even after seven years, and despite lessons learned and a midterm review, the commission is still unable to determine and report on the most efficient and effective methods for reducing irregular migration and forced displacement in Africa," the report highlighted.

Libya was a particular focus of the audit, with human rights violations taking center stage. Rights groups have reported that migrants apprehended by the Libyan coast guard have been subjected to rape, torture, and extortion. The auditors raised concerns that EU-funded boats could be misused by individuals "other than the intended beneficiaries" and suggested that EU-funded equipment provided to detention centers may have inadvertently benefitted criminal organizations.

The auditors further criticized the commission for lacking "formal procedures for reporting and assessing alleged human rights violations," urging immediate steps to rectify this oversight.