The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in missive says it has learned with deep sorrow, anguish and sadness about the death of over 50 Gambian youths off the Mauritanian Coast, and thus urged government to urgently address the root of illegal migration which is famously called ‘backway’ in The Gambia.
“According
to media reports, a vessel carrying 195 migrants departed The Gambia and
capsized off the coast of Nouadhibou in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on
Wednesday 4 December 2019,” the release stated.
“The
NHRC is concerned with this huge tragic incident and conveys its condolences to
the families and loved ones of the departed souls. The NHRC commends the
government for their collaboration with the Mauritanian authorities,
International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nation High Commissioner
for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Red Cross and other actors to identify the
casualties, rescued some and continued the search for others.”
“The
NHRC hereby calls upon the government to urgently address the causes of these hazardous
journeys and to put in place policies and concrete security measures that will
increase opportunities in The Gambia and tackle dangerous journeys to Europe.”