Sergi Cámara: “What would happen if the dead and missing people trying to reach the Canary Islands were English godmothers?”

PalmSergi Cámara (Vic, 1970) left local journalism, tired of the repetitive schedule, spurred on by the need to find his own path within photojournalism, and aware of the opportunities this work offers to denounce what happens (and what we don't see) every day outside our comfortable sphere. For example, at the borders erected by European countries when it comes to allowing passage to migrants or refugees seeking the peace of a better life.

Now, the cloister of San Vicente Ferrer in Manacor is hosting, until January 25th, an exhibition of documentary photography Fortress EuropeOrganized by the City Council, the event aims to bring the reality of contemporary migration closer to the people and encourage reflection on human rights at nearby borders. "It's very curious how a migrant is first treated as an adventurer when they leave their country, and as they approach the Melilla border, they become undocumented, then are considered African and Black by the Moroccans themselves, and finally, illegal if they manage to enter," Cámara explains, standing before one of the photographs that reflect the reality of the sea off the autonomous city of Melilla, already on Spanish territory.

More than 10 years

Fortress Europe This is the result of over ten years of work by Cámara at various European borders. Through his photographs, the author documents the perilous journeys undertaken by thousands of people to reach Europe, journeys that often encounter walls, fences, strict controls, and increasingly restrictive immigration policies.

Starting with the most obvious and moving on to others with less media attention, such as the border separating Irún from the French Basque Country, the one in the Alps between Italy and France, or the militarized beach of Gravelines, where French police prevent migrants from boarding makeshift boats every day to try to reach the Regnero River. There, a refugee camp is constantly being dismantled and rebuilt, housing tens of thousands of people. "They are charged thousands of euros for a boat trip that they often won't be able to take because the French police catch them and they have to leave early."

"It's clear that there are mafias that traffic people, but governments are also responsible," says Sergi Cámara, referring to the blackmail many countries use against others to allow or hinder trafficking across their borders. "Morocco, or, in its time, Gaddafi's Libya, had considerable leverage to negotiate concessions with Europe, either to be stricter or to allow passage. The same is true for England and France," with payments disguised as international aid, in order to control certain borders from afar.

10,400 people

This is the number of people who, according to the Caminando Fronteras collective, have died or disappeared in a year trying to cross the maritime border separating Senegal from the Canary Islands. "What would happen if this number were English godmothers? Surely they would come out everywhere and we would know their stories..." Cámara reflects.