ALGIERS, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Algeria resumed repatriation operations of Nigerien nationals staying illegally in Algeria, foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Spokesman for the foreign ministry, Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, said that the move is aimed to better address the phenomenon of illegal immigration and fighting human trafficking networks, according to local APS news agency.
He specified that such operations are part of the North African nation's measures to strengthen cooperation with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, notably Niger and Mali, to curb the mounting waves of illegal migration.
The Algerian Red Crescent is involved in the process, added Benali, saying that it will ensure that the operation is in strict respect for the dignity and human rights.
At the request of Niger government in 2014, Algeria has been repatriating thousands of migrants to their country of origin, but thousands others manage to stay in the North African nation for better living conditions, and a majority of them has been trying to reach Europe.
Earlier last month, a U.S. report ranked Algeria in "TIER 3," saying the North African nation "is a transit and, to a lesser extent, destination and source country for women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, and men subjected to forced labor."
It added that criminal networks are involved in this scourge.
Algeria refuted allegations mentioned in this "far from the reality" report, saying human trafficking scourge does not exist in the country.
