The ordeal of LGTBI people who migrate from Africa to Europe

Human mobility is today a topic of great interest among the world population.

But migrations are not only inevitable, as is often the case (and now in Ukraine), but also necessary and desirable, depending on the context, as one of the latest reports from the International Organization for Migration points out.

All human beings possess inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms that are universally recognized by international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979).

Therefore, States should work to promote, protect and enforce the basic rights of migrants, whatever their condition, with special attention to those who are in a situation of vulnerability and are at greater risk of suffering violations. thereof.

Due to its geographical location, Mali represents the confluence of the migratory routes that come from Senegal, Gambia and the Ivory Coast, on the one hand, and Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, on the other, bound for Libya or Algeria.

Bamako is the main meeting point for those who decide to emigrate to Europe.

From here, some continue their journey to Niger and then Libya (generally those with fewer economic resources continue by bus via Agadez) and others take the route to Algeria (normally by jeep through the desert, although faster and more expensive than the previous one).

IOM data on Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) reveal that around 1,100 individuals crossed the Malian borders daily during the month of January 2022.

Thus, the more than 34,000 who decided to emigrate from their countries of origin still have more than 5,500 kilometers left to cross to the main crossing points of the Mediterranean Sea, where they will have to risk their lives in small boats.

But his journey began weeks ago.

Until reaching the most populous city in central Africa, they have had to face numerous roadblocks where the Malian police force them to pay a toll of between 15,000 and 45,000 CFA francs (about 20 and 50 euros respectively) and other difficulties in order to continue on your way.

For these reasons, many are left penniless and stranded in a megalopolis like Bamako where they are barely trying to survive.

They spend the night around the bus station, some waiting to get some money to survive, and others, somewhat more fortunate, with the idea of ​​reaching their long-awaited European Eldorado.

Sogoniko, Bamako's main bus station, covers an area of ​​four square kilometers.

In addition to being the point of departure for Niger (the next stage of the journey), it has become a refuge city where hundreds of citizens of different nationalities, ethnic groups and religions live together, and which has become the final destination for many to whose dream has turned into a real nightmare.

Here they gather in small groups or clans according to their nationality to help each other find food, work or money.

The problems that they must face are many, but the omnipresent idea is to save what is necessary to continue the trip, because going home is not an option, since it would mean failing with their dream and that of their whole family.

In the case of LGTBIQQ people, in addition to the social pressure they must face, the scarcity of available resources, and the lack of a decent place to shelter, there are also extortions, robberies, and abuses due to its double condition of vulnerability.

The invisibility of this group in Mali leads to harassment, torture and continuous episodes of violence.

Legally, it is not possible to assume their condition, since article 179 of the Penal Code punishes sexual exhibition, so any public expression of affection between people of the same sex could lead to fines and even serious prison sentences.

On the other hand, when dealing with migrants there is a lack of recognition of their human rights.

This migratory phenomenon of sexual minorities provokes a series of stressors that leads to those affected suffering a strong discomfort: the forced separation from close loved ones, the feeling of hopelessness when encountering difficulties in the material recognition of fundamental rights in the society of reception, the struggle for subsistence and defenselessness against forms of discrimination, among others.

In addition, to these factors are added the discriminatory and oppressive practices of homophobia and transphobia as generators of discomfort, stigmatization and violence.

The invisibility of this group in Mali leads to harassment, torture and continuous episodes of violence

The main problem is that it is not only a matter of explicit hatred towards this group, but that the receiving countries have a part of the responsibility, given that sufficient measures are not promoted to reduce violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. of genre.

In this sense, in 2017, the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, ZeidRa'ad Al Hussein, declared that humanity was witnessing an omnipresence of violent abuse, harassment and discrimination in all regions of the world towards these people.

In short, LGTBIQ migrants in Mali are subject to murder, sexual violence, gender violence, aggression, and, above all, are deprived of their fundamental rights.

For this reason, it is essential that this important barrier of discrimination be broken down in order to promote safe and orderly migration.

Antonio Lorenzo Castellanos

is responsible for Rural Development, Water and Sanitation Projects at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) in Mali

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