Mediterranean turned to cemetery by policy – Researcher

The Mediterranean is being turned to a “cemetery by policy” as European migration policies continue to prioritise interceptions, detention and deportations over the protection of human lives, researcher Jihed, a PhD researcher on bioprotection of plants  has said.

In a series of posts on X, Jihed said four bodies were recovered from different locations along the coast of Tajoura, Libya, on Thursday, August 21.

“Four human beings. And still Europe celebrates ‘fewer arrivals’ as a success,” the researcher wrote, arguing that the deaths were a consequence of the externalisation of European migration controls.

He described the situation as a cycle of “interceptions, detention, deportation and bodies on the shore,” warning that the Mediterranean was increasingly becoming a graveyard for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

Jihed also highlighted continued interceptions by security forces in eastern Libya.

According to him, at about 3:00 a.m. local time on August 20, Al-Saiqa Special Forces intercepted a boat carrying 24 people approximately four nautical miles off Al-Bardi.

About two and a half hours later, at 5:30 a.m., the forces reportedly intercepted another boat carrying 55 people around 20 nautical miles off Al-Bardi.

The researcher said the incidents illustrated how the interception operation in eastern Libya continues on a daily basis, with migrants subsequently facing detention and deportation.

“The interception machine in eastern Libya does not stop,” Jihed said, adding that the repeated operations demonstrate the continuing cycle of interception, detention and deportation along the central Mediterranean migration route.

His comments come amid continuing concerns over the treatment and safety of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya, as European countries increasingly rely on cooperation with North African states to prevent migrants from reaching European shores.