「ディエゴ・ガルシアは難民収容には適さないよね」

　ディエゴ・ガルシアは難民を長期にわたって収容するには望ましくない。そんな国連難民局の指摘が入った。言われる前からそーだろう、という気は多少する。

BBC Diego Garcia: UN says UK military island not suitable for stranded migrants 19 Jan 2024 By Alice Cuddy

　ディエゴ・ガルシア。ヤバ目の捕虜をヤバ目に取り扱うので悪名高い―というのは何時の事か、ともかくものっそい遠隔地にあるので何がどうなっているのか外部にはわからない。許可を得て入った国連代表団は、タミル人抑留者たちの状況は悪いとみるわけだ。そりゃそうだろう。

「The United Nations refugee agency has said a remote British territory in the Indian Ocean, which hosts a secretive UK-US military base, is "not a suitable location" for migrants to be held long-term, after being granted rare access.

Dozens of Sri Lankan Tamils have been stranded for more than two years in a makeshift camp on Diego Garcia.

It is the first time asylum claims have been filed in the territory.

The UK government said it was looking for a "long-term solution".

"The wellbeing and safety of migrants is the... top priority" of the British Indian Ocean Territory administration, a spokesperson added. British Indian Ocean Territory (Biot) is the islands' official name.」

　船でカナダにでも行こうかとしたタミル人たち。かなり無理がないかなその航海案。しかしなんだってまあそんな無謀な旅をと思ったら、どうもタミルタイガーズの関係者だったそうで。そりゃあお国では生き辛い。

「The first group of Tamils landed on Diego Garcia in October 2021 after their boat ran into trouble while trying to sail to Canada, according to migrants and officials.」

「Many of the group claim to have links with the former Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka, who were defeated in the civil war that ended in 2009, and say they have faced persecution as a result.」

「Lawyers representing asylum seekers on Diego Garcia say about 60 people remain on the island. Several people have been relocated to Rwanda for treatment following suicide attempts.」

　ともかくも閉鎖空間で環境が悪く、自殺を試みた者もいる。自傷行為に走る者もいる。治療のために移送されたはいいが、移送先がルワンダ。…あのなあ…。