The international organization for the defense of migrants, Horizon Without Borders, held a press conference on December 18, 2024 on the occasion of International Migrants Day. Facing the media, Boubacar Seye, president of the organization, revealed the death of “21 Senegalese” found murdered or dead in disturbing circumstances.
“Today, in 2024 alone, we have identified 21 Senegalese from abroad, murdered or found dead in disturbing circumstances. We would have liked the State of Senegal to become a civil party in each case of assassination, in order to allow the prosecutor of the host country to open a judicial investigation, if only to relieve the families,” he declared.
He also denounced the non-respect of migrants’ rights, which are systematically violated, and called for lasting solutions to resolve this problem, in particular by proposing the establishment of an independent national commission.
According to Boubacar Seye: “Migrants are today estimated at more than 281 million across the world, or 3.1% of the world population. This figure increases every year despite repressive migration policies in host countries.”
Concerning the pact on immigration and the right to asylum put in place since April, Boubacar Seye called on European leaders to review their obligations towards migrants. “Today, many migrants encounter enormous difficulties in achieving family reunification, when this should not be the case. The right to health is also a problem in host countries. Europe must review its position on this issue,” he urged.
Boubacar Seye also recalled the recurring migratory tragedies, which particularly devastate African youth. “Between 2014 and 2024, we are talking about more than 30,000 deaths by estimate,” he added.
In addition to these alarming figures, he mentioned the fate of 300 Senegalese imprisoned in Morocco, for whom he asked for a “royal pardon” from King Mohammed VI.
Faced with this disastrous migratory situation, Boubacar Seye recommended that the Senegalese authorities adopt a more constructive approach, beyond repressive measures, in order to find a lasting solution that could “eradicate the idea” of risky travel.
“For a radical change in the management of this scourge, we believe that it is imperative to set up an independent national commission or a special delegation exclusively dedicated to this problem. This will make it possible to address the subject in its diversity and transversality “, he concluded. “This commission will focus on current priorities and, with the help of the State of Senegal, it will organize as soon as possible a meeting on international migration. This is where we must concentrate our efforts to a paradigm shift,” said Boubacar Seye.
