During the pandemic, EU countries used brutal tactics to prevent nearly 40,000 refugees to cross borders and it linked to the death of quite 2,000 people, a Guardian analysis find it out.

European countries are supported by the EU’s border agency Frontex and that they systematically pushed back refugees. It’s also included children who are fleeing from wars, in their thousands, using illegal tactics starting from assault to brutality during detention or transportation.

The analysis has supported a report which is released by UN agencies, combined with a database of incidents collected by non-governmental organizations. According to charities, in Covid-19, the regularity and brutality of pushback practices have increased.

According to the annual report that’s released on Tuesday, the Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN), a coalition of 13 NGOs documenting illegal pushbacks within the western Balkans, abuse and disproportionate force was present in nearly 90% of testimonies in 2020 collected from Croatia, the tenth increase on 2019.

Besides, the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog, Olaf, has launched an investigation into Frontex over allegations of harassment, misconduct, and unlawful operations aimed toward stopping refugees from reaching EU shores.

Last week, 24 migrants’ bodies found by Spain’s maritime rescue. It’s believed that they could have died of thirst and hunger while trying to succeed on Canary Island. According to UNHCR, 788 migrants died trying to succeed in Spain in 2020.