Migrants in hiding as Mauritania pushbacks drastically cut Europe arrivals
Summary
Mauritania has increased efforts to deport migrants, leading many to hide in the capital, Nouakchott, out of fear of arrest and forced return to their home countries. Rights groups have raised concerns about the legality of these actions under international refugee laws. Migrants report being detained without notice, asked to pay bribes, or even beaten, while some locals express worry over the loss of migrant workers.Key Facts
- Migrants in Nouakchott, Mauritania, are hiding after a surge in government deportations.
- Police have been detaining people they suspect are undocumented migrants, sometimes in public places or at their homes.
- Deportations often happen suddenly, with some migrants unable to take their belongings.
- Some detainees report having to pay bribes or experiencing mistreatment while in custody.
- Human Rights Watch says Mauritania expelled about 28,000 people in the first half of 2025, based on government data.
- Rights groups and a UN panel question whether these deportations follow international refugee protection laws.
- Some locals and business owners are unhappy with the crackdown, saying migrants provide needed labor.
- Authorities claim they are targeting only undocumented migrants, but obtaining legal papers has become more difficult.
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