By Bakary Ceesay
Scores of protesters that converged at the Westfield Youth Monument Thursday afternoon has called on Gambia government to stop the mass deportation of Gambians from European Union countries specifically German and Italy.
They as well urged the government to consider the welfare of deportees who are mostly youth with little or no skills and facilitate the process of their resettlement.
The Westfield Monument protest was organized by Concern Gambians Against Deportation in partnership with the Gambia Refugees Association-Europe Branch. The organised protest was as a result of the recent deportation of 20 Gambians from German with more than two thousand (2000) Gambians expecting to be deported soon.
The angry protesters accused Gambia government of signing deportation agreement with EU and also of receiving monies meant for deportees which never get to them.
Omar Saibo Camara, spokesperson of the ‘Concern Gambians Against Deportation’ disclosed that “the reason for the protest is the deportation of innocent Gambians and the manner in which they are been deported coupled with the continuous silence of The Gambia government on the issue”
According to him, Gambia government did not make any effort since the announcement of the German Interior Minister that more than 2500 Gambians are identified for deportation even though the reason for their deportation has never been stated.
Camara said in December 2018, thirty Gambians were deported and recently another twenty deported from EU countries. He added that currently there are more than 5000 Gambians seeking asylum in German and Italy but under the threat of deportation.
Also, “there are 5400 Gambian asylum seekers awaiting interviews in German and Italy without knowing their faith yet. But it is unfortunate that people deported are experiencing brutality from German and Italian securities.” He noted that some of the deportees were brought back in cuffs, Shackles and chains bundled like slaves and yet the Gambia government is mute over the issue.”
He said the government should come out plain and confirm if they indeed sign the agreement with the EU.
He therefore called on government to make such that deportees’ resettlement package of 2000 Euros as claimed by the deportees be given to them so that they can integrate into the society. Most of these youths he said used personal and family resources to travel to Europe to look for greener pasture.