Tragedy at sea

Published April 21, 2015
Flowers are seen, during a silent commemoration for the victims of a boat accident, in Vienna, April 20, 2015.— Reuters/file
Flowers are seen, during a silent commemoration for the victims of a boat accident, in Vienna, April 20, 2015.— Reuters/file

To appreciate the gravity of the problem, consider this; the reported deaths of migrants at sea so far this year are 30 times higher than in 2014, itself a record year.

On Sunday, in the worst disaster of its kind, around 700 — some estimates say 900 — such individuals are believed to have drowned when the fishing vessel they were travelling in capsized off the Libyan coast.

Less than 30 survived the tragedy which occurred when a ship arrived on the scene to provide assistance, as instructed by the Italian coastguard which had picked up a distress signal from the migrants’ boat.

Read: 700 feared dead as migrants’ boat capsizes off Libya

In their haste to escape the stricken vessel, the passengers reportedly rushed to one side, which caused it to keel over. Last week, a dinghy carrying migrants sank; 41 drowned. On April 12, 400 people perished when their vessel capsized.

Only extreme desperation can drive individuals to take the dire risks inherent in a perilous sea crossing in overloaded boats ill-equipped for such a journey.

The latest exodus of migrants fleeing across the Mediterranean has largely been triggered by the turmoil in Libya, but also includes people from Syria and sub-Saharan countries.

What is desperation for many, however, is for others an opportunity to make a profit. Driven purely by avarice, human smuggling networks treat the individuals who have entrusted themselves to their care — often at the cost of their life savings — as no more than mere cargo.

Read: Survivors say 400 migrants drowned off Libya

In September 2014, an estimated 500 migrants drowned after traffickers deliberately rammed the boat they were travelling in, in an attempt to force them onto a smaller vessel.

Such callousness has unfortunately been matched — if unwittingly so — by the European Union’s new approach in which the Italian-run search-and-rescue operation Mare Nostrum, that reportedly saved 100,000 lives in 2014, was suspended on the grounds that it was encouraging people to undertake the journey.

That logic is flawed, as proved by the sequence of shipwrecks this year.

The West’s exploitative policies have contributed much to the mayhem wrought by despots and extremists of various kinds, and which has compelled so many to seek European shores for refuge.

Given this reality, these vulnerable individuals should be not be viewed simply as economic migrants — and thereby at risk of deportation — but as refugees so that the relevant international laws can protect them until they are able to return home in safety. The world cannot turn its back on their plight.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...