Each year, thousands of people die at sea on their way to move from different countries to Europe. Indeed, many people try to move to European countries through the sea but a significant portion of them die. According to available sources (including the UNHCR), around 3000 people died at sea in 2021 on their way to Europe. The number of deaths was more than one thousand and five hundred in 2020. Most of the deaths are in the Mediterranean sea and most sea boats through which migrants cross are crowded inflatable boats that can easily be deflated or capsized. Migrants mostly die on the central and western Mediterranean routes though a considerable portion dies on the routes from northwest Africa to the Canary Islands.
Of course, there are many reasons that drive people to move from one place to another by taking the risk of their lives. War and civil wars are important reasons for increased migration in the world at present. Indeed, many people want to go to Europe from the Middle East for saving lives from wars or civil wars. But a significant portion of migrants also tries to move to Europe because of social, economic, political and other reasons. Many people from Africa and Asian countries try to go to Europe for better living standards, educational opportunities and economic opportunities. Human traffickers, who are active in many Asian and African countries with their networks, play very important roles in the risky journey by sea to Europe by alluring people to migrate.
No doubt, efforts have been mounted in recent years to prevent the risky movement from to Europe by illegal means and save lives at sea. Indeed, coastal security has been strengthened in different European countries and the European Union launched the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which was previously known as the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders, in 2016. The Agency monitors the external borders of the European Union, assists to manage migration effectively and contributes to the integrated management of the borders of European countries. Besides, the Union set up the European Migrants Smuggling Center to help member countries to crack down on migrant smuggling.
For integrated border management, the agency carries out deployments and joint operations on the territory of neighbouring countries. It also cooperates with the countries of origin of migrants and transit to dismantle criminal networks. But the EU’s operational patrols not only target migrant smugglers but also rescue migrants at risk. According to available sources, over 541600 people have been rescued in the Mediterranean since 2015 with such operations. In addition to the EU, some other organizations including the IFRC work for saving lives at sea. But neither the efforts to crack down on the smugglers of migration are enough for preventing illegal migration nor are the rescue operations sufficient to save the lives of migrants at sea.
Thus, more effective efforts are needed to prevent the risky journey. In this respect, the countries of origin countries and countries from where migrants start risky sea journeys need to be more active. The concerned authorities including law enforcement agencies, a portion of which is also believed to have close relations with human traffickers, need to play their roles in the prevention of human trafficking. They need to make sure that the migration does not occur through risky paths and human traffickers are brought to justice. Moreover, it is important to discourage people from such movements especially through the risky path and encourage migration through legal paths. But rescue efforts need to be kept continued unless the risky migration stops.
But these are not enough to end people’s moving from different countries to Europe through risky sea journeys. It is important to address the underlying causes of illegal migration. In this respect, conflicts need to be ended through continued talks in different countries including some Middle East countries. Also, the economic and social needs of migration aspirants need to be addressed by respective countries by providing more opportunities with better plans and reduced corruption. Political harassment needs to be well-addressed so that no one is driven by political reasons to move through the risky sea paths for asylum in European countries. Also, Europe can increase the number of legal migrants each year.
