World Report 2023: Spain
Human Rights WatchJan 20, 2023
On Sunday, migrant aid group Walking Borders said three boats carrying at least 300 people went missing near the Spanish Canary Islands. The three migrant vessels were traveling roughly 1K miles (1.6K km) from Kafountine in south Senegal to the Canary Islands.
Two of the boats, carrying roughly 50 to 65 people each, have been missing for 15 days, while a third boat carrying about 200 people departed Senegal on June 27. Family members of the passengers have not heard from their loved ones since they left.
Spain has not done enough to protect migrants making dangerous trips to the country in search of a better life. Many people fleeing countries in conflict die during their journey to Europe, while Madrid does little to ensure safety during their trip. In fact, Spain has also implemented policies that will turn away asylum seekers and migrants, causing the most vulnerable to take even more perilous routes.
Spain has already taken far too many migrants, and it should not take any more. The European nation is being inundated with illegal immigrants who are being illegally trafficked and exploited. There is nothing humane about an unrestricted migration system that enriches human traffickers, puts migrants in danger, and degrades the overall quality of life in Spain and other European nations.