Security Services Arrest 500 Illegal Immigrants From 38 Provinces During Ramadan

A report that was prepared by the office of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights in Annaba (eastern Algeria), revealed an increase in the number of children and minors who throw themselves into the sea on a secret immigration adventure on board of small boats from the shores of Annaba and Taraf provinces (eastern Algeria).

Algerian league’s branch said in the report, which copy is available to Echorouk, said that 500 illegal immigrants were stopped by the patrols of the Algerian navy, during the month of Ramadan, and seized 500 small boats, while the statistics and information that were collected show that 900 young illegal immigrants arrived to foreign countries during the period of Ramadan, including minors, while the Algerian people who were arrested are originated from 38 provinces, and come from 11 countries, including Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Libya and other African countries. 

In this regard, the league believes that the issue should be given great importance so that Algeria will not become a gateway and a transit center for illegal migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, especially since this situation opens the door to illegal practices, notably the revival of the illegal immigration networks and the escape of those wanted to justice, which requires checking the number of migrants who are flowing to Algeria, according to the league, which added that some of those who work in fishing by small boats turned their activity to human trafficking (illegal immigration) in the absence of identification numbers for boats, and a careful census of those who are active in the field of fishing through these boats, as it is impossible to displace such a large number of people without the presence of experienced on the sea who take over the task.

It also pointed out that security investigations and surveillance on the ground should be of great importance to arrest the secret immigration networks that have turned into distant and isolated beaches along the coasts of the region between El Messida and Umm al-Tabul beaches, where organizers of illegal immigration bring migrants into buses to other destinations.