Rights group slams EU moves to block refugees

Human Rights Watch urged the 28-nation bloc Wednesday to focus on preventing tragedies such as this month’s drowning of hundreds of migrants making their way from Libya to Italy.

The New York-based group says many EU policies claim to be about saving lives but actually attempt to stop people from reaching European shores.

In May, the EU created a 30-million euro ($41-million) task force to train Libya’s border guards.

Human Rights Watch says countries such as Germany are blocking reforms of EU asylum rules that could improve conditions for refugees.

The issue will be debated by European leaders meeting in Brussels on Friday.