Another disaster of migrants

African and European authorities are repeatedly failing to monitor and regulate the blanket commuting of fragile and dangerous engine-less boats and vessels

Bodies of some 74 migrants were recovered from a beach near the town of Zawiya in western Libya  Tuesday. They are believed to have come from a shipwrecked inflatable raft that was found on the same stretch of the shoreline. Bodies of refugees washing up on various coastlines are not new, but this disaster occurring just prior to the high season for the Mediterranean crossings was most unexpected in a lean season. The tragedy was also a stark reminder sending shock-waves about the perilous days that lie ahead before the main migration season from Africa begins. 
A clear message the disaster conveys is: illegal crossings of the Mediterranean carrying refugees for transporting to mainland Europe is no longer restricted within a particular season. Moreover, the concerned African and European authorities are repeatedly failing to monitor and regulate the blanket commuting of fragile and dangerous engine-less boats and vessels. 
According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, some 228 people died in last January while trying to get into Italy in similar types of smaller and inflatable vessels. The unending spree of deaths doesn’t seem to end. It is right here where we expect the major European powers to re-evaluate and broaden their initiatives in tackling the ever-growing dilemma in the Mediterranean coasts.
Statistics from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate the number of migrants crossing between Libya and Europe is on the rise and accordingly numbers of disasters have alarmingly shot up too. Failing to control the higher incidence of highly unsafe commuting through surging waters, the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean must immediately address the rising trend of refugee smuggling. There is also a visible lack of active coastguard policing in countries like Libya and Turkey.     
However, as echoed a number of times before, a key strategy to put smugglers out of business is to create more legal avenues for migrants seeking safety, especially those trying to reunite with family members by now in Europe. Also the European continent should make a swift move to decriminalize illegal migration. This would likely encourage migrants to identify smugglers and their deceitful agents while helping the law enforcement agencies to break up the criminal networks that prey on the most vulnerable groups.
Lastly, getting out of the magical thinking that migrants will not risk journeys due to risky travelling, the European governments must address the reality over the growing number of journeys and jointly work with African nations to break up the wicked syndicate of refugee smugglers. 

 

Another disaster of migrants

African and European authorities are repeatedly failing to monitor and regulate the blanket commuting of fragile and dangerous engine-less boats and vessels

Bodies of some 74 migrants were recovered from a beach near the town of Zawiya in western Libya Tuesday. They are believed to have come from a shipwrecked inflatable raft that was found on the same stretch of the shoreline. Bodies of refugees washing up on various coastlines are not new, but this disaster occurring just prior to the high season for the Mediterranean crossings was most unexpected in a lean season. The tragedy was also a stark reminder sending shock-waves about the perilous days that lie ahead before the main migration season from Africa begins. A clear message the disaster conveys is: illegal crossings of the Mediterranean carrying refugees for transporting to mainland Europe is no longer restricted within a particular season. Moreover, the concerned African and European authorities are repeatedly failing to monitor and regulate the blanket commuting of fragile and dangerous engine-less boats and vessels. According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, some 228 people died in last January while trying to get into Italy in similar types of smaller and inflatable vessels. The unending spree of deaths doesnt seem to end. It is right here where we expect the major European powers to re-evaluate and broaden their initiatives in tackling the ever-growing dilemma in the Mediterranean coasts. Statistics from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate the number of migrants crossing between Libya and Europe is on the rise and accordingly numbers of disasters have alarmingly shot up too. Failing to control the higher incidence of highly unsafe commuting through surging waters, the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean must immediately address the rising trend of refugee smuggling. There is also a visible lack of active coastguard policing in countries like Libya and Turkey. However, as echoed a number of times before, a key strategy to put smugglers out of business is to create more legal avenues for migrants seeking safety, especially those trying to reunite with family members by now in Europe. Also the European continent should make a swift move to decriminalize illegal migration. This would likely encourage migrants to identify smugglers and their deceitful agents while helping the law enforcement agencies to break up the criminal networks that prey on the most vulnerable groups. Lastly, getting out of the magical thinking that migrants will not risk journeys due to risky travelling, the European governments must address the reality over the growing number of journeys and jointly work with African nations to break up the wicked syndicate of refugee smugglers.