Even if it is alive, it is the same as if it is dead February 15, 15:37
A corpse that drifts to the beach.
The man has so far built and buried more than 400 tombs.
"Because alive is the same as dead,"
the man leaked, staring at the grave.
(International Affairs Reporter Suleiman Adel)
"Cemetery of the unknown"
"This is a tomb. We have acquired land for the bodies washed up on the beach and have buried more than 400 people so far."
This is Mr. Shamsdin Marzgu.
It is said that for nearly 10 years, graves have been built and buried for the bodies that drift to the beach.
This is Tunisia in North Africa.
The tomb is located on the outskirts of Zarzis, a port city in southeastern Tunisia.
It is called "Cemetery of the Unknown" by the locals.
It is said that the corpse that drifts away has no identity and no one knows where.
Still, Marzugu says it's because of their "dignity" that they build graves and keep them buried.
Mr. Marzgu
"They may not have had a family, so I will be their family. It is to protect their dignity. They aim across the sea to make their" dreams "fulfill. Some are swallowed by the sea with "hope," and they arrive at Zarzis as bodies. "
Where is the body from?
why?
Marguz is burying those who lost their lives after failing to stowaway.
Most of them are young people, and it is said that the bodies of children may be washed away.
They and they aimed for Europe.
Zarzis in Tunisia is relatively close to the southernmost island of Italy, making it a base for stowaways for those heading to Europe.
From the coast of Zarzis, stowaways board simple rubber boats and small fishing boats to reach the Italian islands.
It takes a whole day at the earliest.
It is said that there are many cases in which the ship's capacity is greatly exceeded and the destination is aimed at, and in some cases the ship capsizes and loses its life.
Then they die without reaching the island and flow to the coast of Zarzis.
Maruzugu:
"When I'm burying them, I
sometimes feel depressed
. As poverty progresses, I feel that more and more bodies are being launched. Young people risk their lives because they want to change their lives. And choose the "ship of death" because there is no future in this country. Young people with no hope can get on the "ship of death" and be lucky enough to change the situation or die. Even if it remains in the ship, it's almost like a dead person, so riding the "Death Ship" doesn't make much difference. "
According to the United Nations, more than 34,000 stowaways arrived in Italy from Tunisia and Côte d'Ivoire last year.
On the other hand, it is said that more than 700 people have died in stowaways, even if they know it.
Youth unemployment is one in three
Nevertheless, the fact that stowaways continue, especially among young people, is due to the serious economic and employment situation in Tunisia.
Ten years ago, young people's dissatisfaction with the high unemployment rate exploded in Tunisia, leading to a large-scale anti-government demonstration.
It is a democratization movement called "Arab Spring".
As a result, the dictatorial regime collapsed and began on the path to democratization, with many young people hoping for a bright future.
However, the tourism industry, which was a major industry, was hit hard by domestic turmoil, and the majority of tourists from overseas have not returned.
As a result, the unemployment rate is worse than before, exceeding 16%.
In particular, one in three young people are unemployed.
Moreover, in Tunisia, not only are employment opportunities limited, wages are low, and prices are higher than they were 10 years ago.
For this reason, it is said that "stowaway" to Europe is rampant among young people to get a job.
"Because alive is the same as dead."
Mr. Maruzugu
"When you look at the bodies, each one looks like a dream."
Mr. Marzugu lamented the current situation in which young people who once had hope for democratization were disappointed in the life that never improved and aimed at Europe as a place to fulfill their "dreams".
Mr. Maruzugu
"Everyone is poor and no longer afraid of death." Even if they are alive, they are the same as if they are dead. "So I hear these voices. So everyone heads for the sea. You can help. Even if you fail and die, it will not be a burden to your family. "
"Toys" offered to the grave
While listening to Mr. Maruzugu, I looked at the grave and noticed that there was a yellow toy block beside the "gravestone".
When asked why, Marzugu pointed to another grave.
There was a little bear doll, dirty with dust.
Mr. Maruzugu
"Toys are decorated. I think that the children who were launched as bodies are poor and hungry and have never played properly. I am comforting them with toys."
The ever-increasing "graveyard of the unknown"
Marsugu, who started preparing the "graveyard for the unknown" nearly 10 years ago, expanded the graveyard further seven years ago.
However, the number of bodies launched continued to increase, and there was no place to bury them.
For this reason, it is said that another land was bought with the donations received and developed as a new graveyard.
An ever-growing number of unknown tombs.
What is buried there may be the "dreams" of young people who lost hope in the future and headed for the other side of the sea.
It has been 10 years since the democratization movement "Arab Spring", in which dictatorial governments fell one after another due to public demonstrations in Arab countries such as the Middle East.
Tunisia is the country that started it.
It has been said to be the "only successful example" of the Arab spring, with the establishment of a constitution and democratic elections.
However, the reality that is happening in Tunisia is far from what is called a "successful example."
Tunisia will not have a true "spring" unless young people can fulfill their desire to live a stable life in the country with their families.
Through the interview, I felt that way.
International Department Reporter
Suleiman Adel
Joined in 2015
After interviewing cases and judiciary at the Kobe Bureau, interviewed
mainly Arab countries
from the first year
of Reiwa