Ethiopians Deported En Masse by Saudi Arabia Allege Abuses

[rangerrebew]

Ethiopians Deported En Masse by Saudi Arabia Allege Abuses
December 28, 2017 4:52 AM

    Associated Press


ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA —

Undocumented Ethiopian migrants who are being forcibly deported from Saudi Arabia by the thousands in a new crackdown say they were mistreated by authorities while detained.

In interviews with The Associated Press upon their arrival home, the returnees described beatings, theft and stays in dirty prison camps. Their accounts brought to light one of the world’s busiest and most dangerous migrant routes but one that remains overlooked amid the larger rush toward Europe.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-migrants-report-abuse-during-saudi-arabia-deportations/4182407.html

[thackney]

It is difficult to imagine being in a situation where risking going overseas into Yemen, to sneak across the border into Saudi Arabia is believed to be your better option.

[truth_seeker]

It is difficult to imagine being in a situation where risking going overseas into Yemen, to sneak across the border into Saudi Arabia is believed to be your better option.

Is it not true, that Ethiopia is poor, and Saudi Arabia is rich ??

Per Capita GDP:

Ethiopia $2,113 (2017 estimated)
Saudi Arabia $21,000 (2017 estimated)

People the world over, throughout time, have migrated to places which held hope for better material well-being.

[TomSea]

I'll bet one can find articles on Israel deporting Ethiopians as well.

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-using-technicality-to-deport-eritrean-asylum-seekers-to-ethiopia-1.391627

http://www.awrambatimes.com/?p=1329

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Ethiopian-Christian-faces-deportation

So, in this case, what Saudi Arabia is doing is not totally unknown in that part of the world.

[thackney]

Is it not true, that Ethiopia is poor, and Saudi Arabia is rich ??

Per Capita GDP:

Ethiopia $2,113 (2017 estimated)
Saudi Arabia $21,000 (2017 estimated)

People the world over, throughout time, have migrated to places which held hope for better material well-being.

But Ethiopia is mostly Christian.  To be poor, illegal and Christian, in Saudi Arabia, is a really, really bad combination.  Even if not illegal and not openly Christian, non-citizens have very poor standing in Saudi.

[truth_seeker]

But Ethiopia is mostly Christian.  To be poor, illegal and Christian, in Saudi Arabia, is a really, really bad combination.  Even if not illegal and not openly Christian, non-citizens have very poor standing in Saudi.

People in desperate situations, will risk a lot, for better situations.

In the 1600s people risked crossing hostile seas in wooden sailing vessels whereby many died.

If the winds were unfavorable, they would take longer to cross, than they had onboard food for.

In the 1800s they had steam engines, yet disease onboard killed many.

It was not unusual for 1/4 to die on the crossing. But the reward made it worth it for those taking the risks.

In Sweden porridge was supplemented with sawdust, during their potato famine.

The Irish potato famine was on top of conditions so severe, that the Irish were called "the ni**ers of Europe." (When they got to the US they were greeted by sign "No Irish Need Apply)

The journey across North America was dangerous. It took brave risk takers to come go West. Think Donner party.

[thackney]

People in desperate situations, will risk a lot, for better situations.

In the 1600s people risked crossing hostile seas in wooden sailing vessels whereby many died.

If the winds were unfavorable, they would take longer to cross, than they had onboard food for.

In the 1800s they had steam engines, yet disease onboard killed many.

It was not unusual for 1/4 to die on the crossing. But the reward made it worth it for those taking the risks.

In Sweden porridge was supplemented with sawdust, during their potato famine.

The Irish potato famine was on top of conditions so severe, that the Irish were called "the ni**ers of Europe." (When they got to the US they were greeted by sign "No Irish Need Apply)

The journey across North America was dangerous. It took brave risk takers to come go West. Think Donner party.

I used to live in Yemen.  I knew a lot of people that had worked in Saudi.

From my perspective, there is almost no chance of reward being an illegal immigrant into Saudi Arabia.  There are jobs, but risk of being forced into slavery is very real.  The travel to Yemen, through Yemen, and into Saudi is very dangerous. 

From my perspective, the same effort and risk in other directions are far more likely to better their chances of a better life.