You would think that after the tragic deaths of hundreds of African migrants when their boat caught fire and sank just a kilometre from the shores of Lampedusa that the world might have learned something. But the death of immigrants in the Mediterranean has not stopped. About two weeks after that tragedy, another boat – this one carrying Syrians and Palestinians trying to escape the horrors of war and death in Syria – caught fire and sank as well. Between 400 and 500 people were on board, but only 200 survived. The first boat caught fire because the immigrants burned a sheet to attract the attention of the rescuers. The second caught fire allegedly because it was fired on by Libyans; it’s not clear whether they were government or militia forces.
An increasing number of Syrians and Syrian Palestinians are fleeing to neighbouring countries due to the ongoing conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated that up until September 2013, more than 110,000 Syrians were killed in 29 months of uprising. According to the Oxford Research Group, 11,000 children lost their lives in the same period. The UN estimates that there are more than two million refugees who have fled the country, and four million more who are internally displaced.
(‘Syrian Palestinians’ here refers to Palestinians who live in Syria. They are originally refugees who were expelled from their homeland in 1948 when Israel was created by the west on the ruins of Palestine. There is no exact figure for how many Palestinians live in Syria. but it is estimated to be anything between 200,000 and 500,000.)
However, more people are trying to escape to Europe for different reasons. Female Syrian refugees who fled to Jordan, including many children, have been subjected to harassment and exploitation. It’s alleged that wealthy men come from the Gulf countries looking for wives as young as 12 for very little money. After using them for a period of a few days to a few months, they divorce them.
It’s a different situation in Egypt. After the military coup, the Egyptian media associated with the regime launched an incitement campaign against the Palestinians and Syrians who live in or fled to Egypt. This made Egypt a very inhospitable place for Palestinians and Syrians alike, forcing many of them to try to flee to Europe. Some 800 Syrians have been arrested in Egypt for attempting to leave.
And even those who escape arrest and manage to get themselves on a boat are not always lucky. On 11 October, another boat carrying 112 passengers sank before it reached the open sea; 12 bodies, including five children, were recovered, while the rescued were detained by the new Egyptian regime. Another small boat capsized near the Greek shore in November, killing an entire Palestinian family.
Sadly this carnage is not a new phenomenon. It’s believed that 19,142 people have died while crossing the Mediterranean on their way to Europe since 1988. This is complicated by the fact that an increasing number of unaccompanied children are taking the risk due to the high cost of the journey – up to $5,000 per person – which prompts parents to give the better chance for their children and send them with relatives or friends, or on their own.
People have every right to flee war and persecution safely. It is about time for wealthier countries to take their responsibilities here seriously, especially when they are responsible for much of the suffering these people are fleeing.
Mohammed Samaana is a freelance writer based in Belfast.
