In a report entitled "Like Living in Hell", the U.S.-based rights group said police routinely abused migrants in the hope of having them leave the coastal city.
Based on interviews conducted with some 60 migrants in the area, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said police had used pepper spray on child and adult migrants while they were sleeping, regularly sprayed or confiscated sleeping bags and clothing, and sometimes destroyed food and water.
"Such acts violate the prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment as well as international standards on police conduct," HRW said.
"inhuman and degrading"....but effective.