Illegal migration towards Spain via small boats from Algeria is growing

12/11/2006

Increased security at Ceuta and Melilla has lead to more illegal migrants travelling from Algeria to Spain via small boats. The problem was worse during Ramadan as couriers sought to take advantage of perceived less vigilance by authorities. Unsafe conditions caused many boats to sink.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 12/11/05

[Getty Images] Hundreds of African migrants leave for Spain daily seeking a better life

Illegal migration to Europe has found another route after Spain reinforced security around the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. According to Algerian newspaper El Watan, fishermen are making fortunes --12,000 euros to 18,000 euros per trip-- using their small boats to bring migrants to Europe.

Touts reportedly comb towns and cities for young unemployed men, for whom they promise safe passage to Spain and a better life in Europe for 100,000 dinars. Candidates are recruited as far as possible from their towns of departure to avoid raising the suspicions of the authorities.

Kamel H, a 25-year-old, embarked on the adventure because he says he has always dreamed of leaving.

"I'd rather risk death to get out than to stay here wasting away," he told Magharebia. He did not talk to his parents about his proposed journey because "I didn't want them to worry. I've caused them quite a few problems until now. Once I arrive ashore in Spain, I'll call them."

Departures are organised from Oran for the ten-hour to 12-hour crossings. Migrants often do not suspect the couriers are painting an excessively rosy picture, while people on the ground easily notice the boats are too small to carry so many people. Most of the boats do not have lifejackets, binoculars, compasses or guns to raise the alarm in an emergency. The excessive weight causes many boats to sink, while patrols intercept others.

Hundreds of dead bodies are fished out of the water daily by Algerian authorities during Ramadan because migrants take advantage of reduced vigilance by the coastguard during the holiday and mild weather.

The two days of Eid al-Fitr were particularly deadly.

Instead of partaking in festivities, some Algerian families spent the holiday searching morgues and hospitals searching for their children who had left without saying goodbye.

Kamel and his band left on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr. His brother eventually informed the family of the plan.

Each time the press announced that the bodies of illegal emigrants had been found, Kamel's mother thought, "My son's bound to be among them."

One week after his departure Kamel called his family from a Red Cross centre in Malaga and said, "They're taking good care of us. But I have to find a way to get out of this centre."

AP reported that 117 have been arrested this month and that 600 were arrested over the summer. Despite the arrests, Algerian security services seem to be overwhelmed by the scale of the problem.