France, Aug. 27 -- Mauritania's role as a key transit hub for African migrants seeking passage to Europe has come into sharp focus, following renewed claims by the NGO Human Rights Watch of abuse by its security forces.

In a new report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reveals that Mauritanian security forces have carried out "serious human rights violations" against migrants and asylum seekers - ranging from torture to rape - over the past five years.

Mauritania has become a key staging post for undocumented migrants from across Africa who risk the perilous Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Europe, with many aiming to reach Spain.

The NGO added that these abuses had been "exacerbated" by the European Union and by Spain, which continue to ...