A new report produced in part by the United Nations highlights the extreme dangers faced by migrants traveling through northern Africa toward the Mediterranean and Europe. The report, released by two United Nations agencies and the Mixed Migration Centre, documents the brutality suffered by over 31,000 migrants from 2020 to 2023. Migrants fleeing war, environmental degradation, and poverty face risks such as rape, torture, sex trafficking, and even organ theft along their journeys.
Physical violence, arbitrary detention, trafficking for labor, sex, or criminal activity are some of the risks faced by migrants, often orchestrated by organized criminal gangs and militias. Women and girls face additional dangers, with an estimated 90% experiencing rape while traveling along the Mediterranean route. Some have been forced into sex work or marriage to continue their journey.
The report emphasizes the horrific conditions faced by migrants in countries like Libya, Algeria, and Ethiopia. Over 72,400 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean in 2024, with at least 785 known to be dead or missing. But tracking those trying to reach Africa’s north shores through the desert is even more challenging, with 1,180 known deaths between January 2020 and May 2024.
European countries have attempted to dissuade migrants and have paid North African nations to prevent sea crossings. However, migrants are often forced away from the coast and back into the desert without supplies, increasing the risks they face. The report emphasizes the need for international protection for migrants and highlights the deteriorating security situation in many countries, leading to increased displacement and movements of vulnerable populations.
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