The central route of the Mediterranean Sea remains the largest cemetery in the world. More than 2,500 people have died or disappeared trying to reach Europe in precarious boats between January and September this year, which represents an increase of two thirds compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the High Commissioner for Refugees (Acnur).
To the known lives lost is added an undetermined number of deaths that take place on the way across Africa to reach the coastal starting points of Libya or Tunisia. “Lives are also lost on the ground, far from public attention”, warned the director of the office in New York of the UNHCR, Ruven Menikdiwela, in front of the UN Security Council on Thursday. “The stories shared by migrants suggest that there are tragedies that can go unnoticed, especially during the crossing of the Sahara desert”, pointed out the director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), present at the same meeting.
Some 186,000 people have arrived in Europe after risking their lives across the sea to Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Malta “in search of a better future and the promise of safety”, Liljert said. Greece has recorded a 300% increase in the number of migrant arrivals since the beginning of the year, and in Italy they have almost doubled: from 70,000 in 2022 to 130,000 in 2023.
Of these people, 11,600 were “unaccompanied minors”, according to UNICEF, 60% more than the previous year. The number of arrivals in Spain has remained stable, mainly via the Atlantic route of the Canary Islands. “The tragic number of children who die in search of asylum and safety in Europe is the result of political decisions and a failed migration system”, said Regina de Dominicis, who coordinates the migration issue at Unicef.
According to the IOM, the conflict in Sudan has caused, in August alone, almost 1,300 Sudanese to arrive in Tunisia, one of the main bridges from Africa to Europe, with which the European Commission has sealed a pact to contain immigration. Menikdiwela points out that, since the beginning of the year, more than 102,000 refugees have taken the maritime route from this country, which means an increase of 260% compared to the previous year.
The controversial agreement sealed this summer between Brussels and Tunis has been criticized by some countries and Oenages who consider that it has not taken into account the protection of human rights. “Any cooperation or assistance provided to Libya or Tunisia should defend the human rights of refugees and migrants,” emphasized Menikdiwela.
“The European Union’s obsession with sealing its borders instead of saving lives allows partners such as Tunisia not only to go unchallenged for the abuses they commit, but also to pressure the EU for more financial aid,” reported Human Rights this week. Watch. Specifically, the oenagé listed the abuses committed by the Tunisian coast guard: “Beatings, theft of belongings, abandonment of people adrift and dangerous maneuvers that can cause boats to sink.”
It also recalled the illegal expulsion of 1,300 sub-Saharan migrants (4,000 according to sources consulted by The Guardian) by Tunisian security guards in July on the border with Libya and Algeria, where at least 27 migrants died under inhumane living conditions of the desert
From Libya, the number of people attempting the same route is 45,000.
The IOM director expressed great concern about the growing discrimination and xenophobia towards migrants, and warned of an increase in such journeys due to the increase in conflicts, natural disasters and poverty. That is why he recommended that the international community take measures not only to “prevent departures”, since the “various drivers of migration” must be taken into account.
