Europe’s Shameful Dumping / May Bulman

Jul 17, 2024

It’s not exactly headline news that many countries are inventing all sorts of novel ways to seal their borders from migrants and refugees or, when those efforts fail, to force the uninvited and unwanted to leave.  It is news, however, when Europe funds, supports, and encourages governments of countries like Tunisia, Morocco, and Mauritania literally to dump refugees in the Sahara as either punishment or powerful disincentive for trying to escape to Europe.

Of course, on paper the lucrative deals the EU and individual European governments offer North African countries to stop migrants can be made to sound like humane, sensible solutions to the risks of leaky boats crossing the Mediterranean. But are they? How are the hundreds of millions of euros paid to transit countries actually used? How are would-be refugees treated? Who assures their safety and survival?  Does anyone worry about their human rights, never mind watching out for the kind of corruption that such programs can spawn?

There are answers to those questions, but they aren’t pretty. Recently a collaboration of journalists, led in part by the Dutch-based organization Lighthouse Reports, published their conclusions under the headline, “Desert Dump.”  May Bulman, Investigations Editor of Lighthouse Reports, summarizes what they learned. 

Europe should be ashamed.

Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

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Lighthouse Reports is an investigative collaborative newsroom that works with the world’s leading media to deliver deeply reported, public interest investigations.


ABOUT OUR GUEST

May Bulman is an investigations editor at Lighthouse Reports, where she coordinates teams of journalists and carries out her own in-depth reporting on investigations with a focus on borders and migration. She was previously social affairs correspondent for The Independent in the UK, where she gained recognition for her reporting on asylum and migration. She has received multiple awards for her reporting on migration and modern slavery.

8 Comments

  1. Philip Short

    Agreed. It is shameful. Australia started it, and Europe was appalled… until it started trying to do the same thing itself and to stop immigrants ‘at source’. Europe is outsourcing the brutalisation of desperate people. In the end, it won’t work – nor should it – and, even if it would work, it’s not an answer. The irony is that the champions of such policies, people like Priti Patel and Suella Bravermann in the UK (and yes, Trump in the US) are themselves from immigrant families! Talks about hypocrisy: it’s gut-wrenching.

    Reply
  2. Uaifo Ojo

    This episode really hammers home the fact that tackling migration and even illegal migration is a complex task that needs proper thought and planning put into it by all stakeholders.

    It will not be easy but as in most cases, the political will has to be there to make sure we get a solution that is suitable for all parties involved including the migrants themselves

    Reply
  3. NGOH Albert MUKWELE

    Concerning Europe’s shameful dumping situation.
    The problem is a shift of local and regional issues that have turned to global problems.
    Adequate attention has not been paid to create the economic and financial balance in certain parts of some continents, that has propelled dependence on other continents. Opportunities and privileges should be spread out to prevent reliance of a particular group of people on others. Through the creation of policies that promotes local and regional economic and financial growth, creation of industries, open markets, and trade opportunities. It’s only in such convenience that the prevailing migration from Africa to Europe and America can be reduced or stopped.

    Reply
  4. Shu Martin

    Europe’s “shameful dumping of refugees” may be likened as ‘revenge’ against the current rise and spread of what I call the spirit of ‘anti-neocolonialism’ in Africa.
    Within the past five years the West in general and Europe most especially (with peculiar focus on former colonial powers) have experienced continuous and consistent resistance from African countries. The rise and radical spread of the spirit of ‘self-determination’ among the African Youth and and their leaders has been revealing and dismantling Neo-colonialist aims and tendencies in all forms of inter-connected approaches in ways that these formal colonial powers have not been able to resist. In worse scenarios African countries have openly declared their decisions to turn to the ‘East’ (Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, North Korea). Ironically Europe these nations may be likened to ‘enemies’ of Europe. This is why the “shameful dumping of refugees” revenge.
    It is however unfortunate that we are talking about vulnerable individual human beings that have been deprived of basic human rights in both their African countries of origin and the would be recipient European countries – in desperate need of lifesaving measures.
    Its unfortunate!!!

    Reply
  5. Nick Omonuk

    Thanks alot for sahring this

    Reply
  6. Aideyan Babafemi Joseph

    First of all, can I cascade to other social media platforms “DESERT DUMP OF REFUGEES IN SAHARA” So our African leader can see it.
    Imagine the rage of push effects that causes these migrants to move from their home country in search of better life, and when they get to European countries they do better. What are our African leaders not doing right. Migrants in Africa are from sundry parts of Africa, South Africa, West Africa, Middle Africa and etc. why is Funds been provided for only Northern African Countries, because these countries are the rout to Europe. We Must delve into the allocations and utilizations of the funds and spread it to other African countries with great margins of migrants. There are thesis that the European leaders what to keep Africa impoverished, this won’t be for long as the yearnings of Africans will ignite an intrinsic motivation for the better utilizations of African resources by Africans for Africans and the world at large with genuine reasons. African leader Must rise to see their countries develop by inciting and reviewing polices for industrious development through the creations of Manufacturing and harnessing of local skills and crafts to meet standard. Africa have the manpower and the resources, what is lacking is the political will of the Sense of needs and wants.

    Reply
  7. Biruk Tamiru

    Thank you for the interesting podcast, and I believe the Team research will be a good input for both EU and Government (politicians) to solve this problem. The Northern Africa countries government should think about Job creation, improving educational system, health and infrastructure . The other thing is the donors should monitor and evaluate the project. If we see current Ethiopian government decision to solve this kind of problem, Job creation opportunities for young people, developed systems for the citizens who would like to go to the other country for job ( online system) which will enable them to track each and every process. Finally I think the answer to the question “who cares is all of us as a human being should care about it.” We can do our best in our country to save peoples life.

    Reply
  8. Sally Wambui Gakuo

    The situation described regarding the treatment of migrants and refugees is indeed a critical and concerning issue. The practices of some countries, including the dumping of refugees in the Sahara as a deterrent, raise serious ethical questions about human rights and the treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking safety and better opportunities.

    The collaboration of journalists shedding light on these practices is essential in bringing awareness to the public and holding governments and organizations accountable for their actions. The concerns raised about the use of funds, the treatment of refugees, and the potential for corruption in such programs highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and a focus on upholding human rights.

    The headline “Desert Dump” underscores the harsh realities faced by migrants and refugees in their pursuit of safety and a better life. It calls into question the morality and effectiveness of the measures taken by some European countries in managing migration flows. It is crucial for societies to reflect on these practices and work towards more humane and sustainable solutions that respect the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their migration status.

    Reply

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