EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson has warned of the consequences for refugees following the abolition of a law against illegal migration in Niger. She was “very concerned” about the “great risk that more people would die in the desert,” Johansson said in Brussels today.
Niger’s military government yesterday abolished a law introduced in 2015 that threatened human traffickers with up to 30 years in prison and heavy fines.
The introduction of the law in 2015 led to a “significant reduction” in irregular arrivals to Europe and the number of deaths in the desert, Johansson said. “Probably” more people would now try to reach Libya and from there cross the Mediterranean towards Europe.
Niger as an important EU partner country
For years, Niger has been considered an important partner country for the EU in treating refugees and stabilizing the region. At the end of July, the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was deposed and the military took power. The EU condemned the removal of the president from power and suspended all security cooperation with the country.
The military government justified the abolition of the law by saying that it declared “certain activities, normally regular” as “illegal trade” and criminalized them. Furthermore, the law was “passed under the influence of certain foreign powers.”