Mediterranean: inhumanity at the root of the tragedy

The NGO SOS Méditerranée describes the Mediterranean as an “open-air tomb”: more than 20,000 migrants have drowned there since 2014. On Wednesday 14 June, a boat carrying 750 people sank before the eyes of the Greek coastguard, whose responsibility is being questioned. The authorities only found 104 survivors, all men, although the boat was carrying women and children.

The question of responsibility for these tragedies arises more generally. That of the smugglers, who take enormous risks with desperate migrants who are treated like merchandise. That of the countries of departure or transit, such as Libya, which, at the very least, allow this to happen, and at worst, exploit this migration. Last but nos least, Europe’s responsability, where the far right is on the rise, and where coastal countries are left to deal with this crisis alone. A crisis that divides the European Union, whose inaction is being strongly criticised.

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