A Look into Europe’s Migrant Crisis

Countries across the globe are dealing with multiple crises. For decades, inflation, economy, trade, and military deals have been the subject of discussion and agreements between nations. Another matter that draws attention with no solution is the issue of the Migrants. You can call them migrants, asylum seekers, or refugees, but one thing remains constant. The indignity and dishonor they face throughout their lives. The issue adds more disgrace to humanity when their lives are not valued. This month two news stories shook the Human Rights Organizations throughout the world in a short period. The death of more than 37 individuals in the Moroccan-Spanish border crossing incident and the group of 46 migrants who were found dead in a truck in Texas, USA. In both unfortunate incidents, one approach of the authorities is common - Their alleged treatment of migrants as invaders. Recently, a mass attempt to scale the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla left at least 37 people dead. Per Spanish officials, about 2,000 Africans made their way to the iron fence on the dawn of June 24. 500 people managed to get into a border control area after cutting an iron fence with shears. Moroccan officials described the death of migrants as a “stampede.” The incident sparked outrage amid allegations of police violence and Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Walking Borders, calling for an immediate investigation into the deadliest day in the recent memory. Potential gateway into Europe for sub-Saharan migrants Melilla and Ceuta, Spain’s other tiny north African enclave, are the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. This makes them a potential gateway into Europe for sub-Saharan migrants and refugees. This crossing attempt is the worst tragedy that the two enclaves have seen. Disturbing footage from the incident was posted by the Moroccan Association of Human Rights on social media that showed dozens of migrants on the ground in an area next to the border fence. It is visible in the video that many of them were bleeding, some lying motionless as Moroccan forces in riot gear stood over them. While sharing the video on Twitter, the human rights group also claimed, “They were left there without help for hours, which increased the number of deaths.” One young man who attempted to cross the border said both those who attempted to cross, and the police had thrown stones at each other. However, the police had the advantage of wearing protection. While talking to the Spanish newspaper El País he said, “The Moroccan agents were very violent, more aggressive than other times, and people panicked. That is what provoked the stampede.” Attack on the territorial integrity of Spain: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez In the tragic incident, both sides, along with migrants sustained injuries. Spanish officials informed 49 Guardia Civil officers suffered mild injuries, while Morocco said 140 of its security forces were injured. Along with in total, 133 people made it across the border. The reactions to the incident were prompt. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez reacted to the incident and said, Moroccan forces worked in cooperation with Spanish police to “fend off” a “violent assault” and “attack on the territorial integrity” of Spain. But who is to blame? Amid the claims of the use of force in the clash by both sides, Mr. Sanchez believes: “If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafia that traffic in human beings.” Putting lives at stake in the hope of a better life The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in a statement, not only condemned “the use of violence by people trying to cross borders but called for a proportionate use of force by law enforcement agents.” The bishops also insisted on “the absolute respect of the human dignity and the fundamental rights of migrants and refugees,” as well as “the facilitation of appropriate screening of persons that are legitimate asylum seekers.” In a separate statement, the Spanish Bishops also insisted that migrants are not “invaders” but “human beings seeking to reach Europe, fleeing from wars and famine, aggravated by the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, drought, and upheavals caused by climate change.” Let’s have a look at the migrant crisis and their treatment in Europe Recently, in another horrific incident, 46 undocumented migrants were found inside an abandoned truck on the outskirts of San Antonio, a city in Texas 250 km from the US-Mexico border. While talking to reporters, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood revealed the vehicle had no working air conditioning and no drinking water inside. As per the UN Refugee Agency, over 3000 migrants lost their lives at sea while attempting to reach Europe by sea. The report states, “Most of the sea crossings took place in packed, unseaworthy, inflatable boats – many of which capsized or deflated leading to the loss of life.” An additional 478 are dead or missing so far in 2022. Not long ago in November 2021, we witnessed one of the deadliest incidents in the English Channel. At least 27 people, including a young girl, drowned in bitterly freezing waters off the coast of France after an inflatable boat carrying migrants bound for Britain capsized. According to data compiled by Britain’s PA Media news agency, in 2021 only, more than 25,700 people crossed the English Channel to the United Kingdom in small boats- three times the total for 2020. As per UNICEF, between January and August 2021, an estimated 97,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, a 95 percent increase compared to the same period in 2020. This trend is likely to continue in 2022. The current number includes some 25,000 children, among whom 9,300 are unaccompanied or separated. Children on the move remain one of the most vulnerable groups requiring sustained and urgent care and protection in 2022.