HRW says migrants abused in Libya

NEW YORK, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch urged the European Union to press Libya to stop abusing hundreds of thousands migrants and refugees in that country.

The New York rights group said EU and Libya are working on joint naval patrols to block migration but that EU members, including Italy, have failed to insist that Libya protect the rights of the foreigners in the country.

Human Rights Watch said the Libyan government subjects these people to serious abuses, including beatings, arbitrary arrests and forced return. Its report said the migrants forced to return to their countries such as Eritrea and Somalia could face persecution or torture. The report said that from 2003-06 Libya repatriated about 145,000 people.

"The European Union is working with Libya to block these people from reaching Europe rather than helping them to get the protection they need," said Bill Frelick, director of refugee policy for Human Rights Watch.

The Libyan government maintains that the arrests of undocumented foreigners are necessary for public order and that the security forces carry them out in accordance with the law.