Germany-based Migration Advocate Yahya Sonko has urged the Gambian Government to stop the continuous mass deportations of Gambian people from Europe.

Sonko underlined the seriousness of the matter, pointing out that twelve Gambians are presently under custody in different deportation facilities all throughout Germany, eight of them already have deportation orders issued. For these people, the scheduled deportation date is June 25, 2024. Many were abducted from their houses early in the morning or arrested at their jobs, he underlined.

“As champions of the rights and dignity of every Gambian, we ask the government of Gambia to act immediately to stop the continuous mass deportations in view of the recent developments on the deportation of nationals from Germany. With a scheduled deportation date for June 25, 2024, 12 Gambians are now under custody in several deportation facilities spread around Germany. Eight of these detainees have seen judges and gotten deportation orders since Monday. While some of these people were seized from their houses early in the morning, others were caught at their places of employment.

Sonko disclosed that the operation underlines the Good Practice Agreement between the Gambian government and the EU and targets 25 Gambian people. He noted that these deportations aggravate the already difficult economic situation in The Gambia, where significant rates of young unemployment exist. The socioeconomic condition for deportees and their families suffers further when hundreds of citizens return without enough reintegration support.

“These deportations worsen the already difficult circumstances in The Gambia, where government management of high rates of young unemployment is proving difficult. The return of hundreds of people every year without sufficient reintegration support simply helps to aggravate the social circumstances for deportees and their families.

Sonko appeals to the government of the Gambia on three main points:

“Stop Mass Deportations: Right away stop the continuous monthly mass deportations decided upon with the EU.”
Take care of Reintegration Requirements: Create and run thorough reintegration and profiling initiatives to help deportees so they may assimilate sustainably into society.
Advocate for Rights: Make sure Gambian immigrants under deportation have legal assistance and are advised of their rights and choices—including voluntary return.
Sonko also advised relatives of deported people to greet their loved ones back with wide arms and offer required emotional and social assistance. He underlined that deported Gambians are generally law-abiding, hardworking people who deserve a second chance to reconstruct their life back home.

Often hardworking and law-abiding people, our deported countrymen deserve a second opportunity at starting a life back home. Those threatened with deportation from Gambia are recommended to see their lawyers to investigate all legal routes. Another choice to be taken under consideration is voluntary departure in order to evade the trauma and humiliation related with forcible deportation. The continuous mass deportations pose a serious problem that the Gambian government must give top priority and immediate response. We firmly believe in our advocacy of the rights and dignity of every Gambian and demand that the government give citizen welfare top priority both at home and abroad.