Friday, April 28, 2023

Tragedy at sea

DAWN
Editorial 
Published April 28, 2023

YET another migrant boat tragedy is in the news, once again with Pakistanis among the dozens who died in a terrible accident that occurred off the coast of Libya recently. The story follows the heartbreaking pattern of earlier ones, where migrants from crises-hit countries cram into unsafe boats in a desperate attempt to reach greener pastures. Two boats were involved in the tragedy; one of the boats was reportedly ferrying 80 passengers when it sank. According to the International Organisation for Migration, 441 migrants and refugees drowned in early 2023 when trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe, the highest number of deaths in the past six years over a three-month period.

Aside from Pakistan, the migrants were mainly from Syria, Tunisia, Egypt — countries with authoritarian rulers and/or security and economic issues. It is a shame that people are ready to undertake perilous sea journeys to reach safer countries, as they see no hope in their own. For instance, in Pakistan, as if the economic and environmental crises were not enough, a protracted political predicament and security challenges are sending a signal to many that their future at home is bleak. While the political, military and judicial elite squabble, the poorest are caught in a storm of crises with no solutions in sight. Even with the knowledge that death and serious injury are never far away from dangerous routes out of the country, these people still opt to go. As they embark on these treacherous journeys in search of better socioeconomic opportunities, they have no choice but to travel on unsafe, overcrowded boats. Criminal smuggling networks profit from their fears and exploit illegal migrants who cling on in the hope of opportunities in another land. Even as they engage in power battles, our politicians and institutions should spare a thought for those whose life is so difficult that they are willing to risk life and limb for distant shores.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2023



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