Libya deported more than 600 migrants to Niger last month as EU agreements push for broader control of migrants in North Africa

In December, 613 migrant men from Niger detained in Libya were deported back to their home country, according to a report by The New York Times.

This mass deportation reflects Europe’s growing reliance on North African nations to curb migration to European shores.

The European Union has established controversial agreements with countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, and Mauritania, offering financial support in exchange for strengthened border control measures. The approach seems effective, as migrant arrivals in Europe significantly decreased in 2024.

However, human rights organizations have criticized these agreements for ignoring widespread abuses against migrants. Reports indicate that many apprehended migrants are abandoned in desert regions without access to food or water, while those confined to detention centers face risks of torture, extortion, and severe neglect.

Several of the deported migrants from Niger interviewed by The New York Times recounted experiencing abuse at the hands of Libyan authorities. Two individuals reportedly died upon their arrival in Niger.

Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants, particularly those from Sub-Saharan Africa, who flee poverty and violence in hopes of reaching Europe..