Soldecanarias.net / Adeje
«Europe can no longer ignore the human tragedy unfolding on its shores; it’s time to act with real and coordinated solutions,» says Mohamed Jamil Derbah, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau and President of the Sol de Canarias communications group.
In recent years, the Canary Islands have witnessed, and continue to witness, a phenomenon that not only raises concerns but demands answers: the massive arrival of migrant boats filled with people desperately seeking a better life. This recurring event, happening with alarming frequency, reminds us that migration is not just a matter of numbers or migration policies; it is, above all, a matter of humanity.
Mohamed Jamil Derbah’s warning must be taken seriously. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye while thousands of people risk their lives at sea. Behind every boat that reaches the Canary shores are stories of suffering, of families forced to separate, and of individuals leaving everything they know to set off across the ocean in the hope of finding, on the other side, a chance at survival. The plight of unaccompanied migrant minors is especially heart-wrenching: children and teenagers who, instead of playing or learning in school, face an uncertain future far from home, bearing the burden of survival at a premature age.
This phenomenon clearly reflects the failure of migration policies both in Europe and Spain. The international community has not been able to offer solutions to the root causes driving this desperate migration: extreme poverty, lack of opportunities, violence, and instability in the countries of origin. Migrants arriving on our shores do not do so out of choice but because they have no other option. They leave their homes not just in search of a better life, but for the mere possibility of survival.
The issue is not only how to manage the arrival of migrants but how to prevent thousands of people from being forced to risk their lives at sea. Spain and the European Union urgently need to implement serious and effective measures to address the causes of migration. This will not be solved by building higher walls or tightening borders; it will be solved by collaborating with the countries of origin and creating opportunities so that people are not compelled to flee.
International summits and meetings on migration have so far amounted largely to empty promises. Commitments that are not fulfilled, agreements that are not implemented, while migrant boats continue to arrive and human tragedies multiply. Migration policies need to be rethought from a more humane and realistic perspective, prioritizing people’s well-being and offering lasting, long-term solutions.
Migration is a global phenomenon that cannot be managed in isolation or with short-term fixes. Europe has a responsibility to lead a collective effort that protects migrants and addresses the deep-rooted causes of this crisis. It is unacceptable that, in the 21st century, the only path many people find to improve their lives is by risking everything on a boat.
The case of unaccompanied minors requires urgent attention. These young people not only arrive unprotected and vulnerable, but they also face an unknown reality, far from home and without family support. Europe must act with greater responsibility in protecting these minors, providing solutions that guarantee their well-being and future.
Mohamed Jamil Derbah’s warning must not go unheeded. The Canary Islands, as Europe’s southern border, cannot continue to bear the burden of this crisis alone. A fair and effective European migration policy is needed, one that understands migration not just as a problem to be managed but as a right to be protected. And, most importantly, one that approaches migration with the humanity that this tragedy demands.
Migration will not disappear as long as global inequalities persist. But what can change is how Europe and the rest of the world address this issue. The solutions must go beyond merely controlling migration flows; they must focus on the dignity of the people arriving on our shores and on creating opportunities in their countries of origin. Empty promises and rhetoric must give way to concrete action. Only then can we stop this human tragedy.
Today, more than ever, it is time to act. The lives of thousands of people depend on it.
