The journey for African refugees and migrants heading towards the Mediterranean coast has become extremely dangerous. A new report released by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC), titled “On this journey, no one cares if you live or die”, highlights the extreme horrors faced by refugees and migrants. These include extreme forms of violence, human rights violations, and exploitation not only at sea but also on land routes across the African continent towards its Mediterranean coastline.
The report reveals that more people are estimated to cross the Sahara Desert than the Mediterranean Sea, and the number of deaths of refugees and migrants in the desert is presumed to be double that of those occurring at sea. This report highlights the less-documented and publicised dangers facing refugees and migrants on these land routes.
The report also warns of an increase in the number of people attempting dangerous land crossings and the protection risks they face. This is partly due to worsening situations in countries of origin and host countries, which include new conflicts in the Sahel and Sudan, the devastating impact of climate change and disasters, and new and prolonged emergencies in the East and Horn of Africa, as well as the manifestation of racism and xenophobia affecting refugees and migrants.
The report also notes that refugees and migrants are increasingly traversing areas where insurgent groups, militias and other criminal actors operate and where human trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, forced labour and sexual exploitation are rife. Some smuggling routes are shifting towards more remote areas to avoid active conflict zones or border controls by state and non-state actors, subjecting people to even more significant risks. Among the litany of dangers and abuses reported by refugees and migrants are torture, physical violence, arbitrary detention, death, kidnapping for ransom, sexual violence and exploitation, enslavement, human trafficking, forced labour, organ removal, robbery, arbitrary detention, collective expulsions and refoulement. The report indicates that criminal gangs and armed groups are the main perpetrators of these abuses, in addition to security forces, police, military, immigration officers and border guards.
Despite the international community’s commitments to save lives and address vulnerabilities by international law, the three organisations warn that global action is inadequate. Considerable gaps in protection and assistance prevail across the Central Mediterranean route, pushing refugees and migrants to move onward on dangerous journeys. Specific support, as well as access to justice for survivors of various forms of abuse, is rarely available anywhere on the routes. Inadequate funding and restrictions on humanitarian access (including in key locations such as informal detention centres and holding facilities) also hamper support.
UNHCR, IOM, partners, and several governments have increased life-saving protection services and assistance and identification and referral mechanisms along the migration routes. However, they emphasise that humanitarian action alone is not enough. Organisations are urging concrete, routes-based protection responses to save lives and reduce suffering while addressing the root causes of displacement and drivers of irregular movements. This includes action on peacebuilding, respect for human rights, governance, inequality, climate change, and social cohesion. Additionally, creating safe pathways for migrants and refugees spanning countries of origin, asylum, transit, and destination is crucial.
The organisations hope the report’s findings will inspire action to address the current gaps in responding to people on the move. Nonetheless, there are concerns due to the impact of the far-right on public opinion in the EU and mainstream parties adjusting their political programmes to mitigate electoral losses. This situation leaves little room for expected progress.
