The loss of life of thousands of refugees escaping from war, conflict and economic difficulties while trying to cross the Mediterranean draws the reaction of human rights groups in Europe. The groups state that there are already restrictive approaches to immigration and that their costs are quite high. [1]
The losses of life in the Mediterranean reveal the gravity of the migration crisis and Europe’s approach to this crisis. According to human rights critics, the right to life and security of immigrants and refugees is a fundamental human right and it is essential to protect these rights.
Right-wing parties in countries such as Italy, Hungary, Poland and Germany make the immigration issue their priority policy by opposing the asylum system and calling for more restrictions. For example, Hungary and Poland are preparing to take turns assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) after the next elections, and both have opposed the migration agreement drawn up on October 4, 2023. [2]
This agreement, which resulted in majority support, includes new support to countries such as Italy, where many refugees come from the Mediterranean, as well as the establishment of processing centers at the external borders of the EU and the detention of asylum seekers in these centers. Developed countries in Europe and around the world have been accused of pushing human rights aside in their efforts to restrict asylum and prevent migration. [3]
It is known that the tendency of right-wing parties to tighten immigration policies and oppose the asylum system stems from domestic political dynamics. However, it is a question mark whether such approaches take into account elements such as human rights, international cooperation and long-term social integration.
The EU has made a number of agreements that put the more negative aspects of immigration restrictions on countries in Africa and the Middle East, including a recent agreement with Tunisia, which is accused of dumping refugees and migrants into the desert. EU countries have agreed on a set of new procedures to be implemented during periods of peak irregular migration, removing a major obstacle to reaching a broader agreement on the bloc’s asylum and migration rules by the end of the year. Representatives of the EU’s 27 members reached an agreement covering the “crisis regulation” on 4 October 2023, allowing negotiations to progress and the changes to be made legally binding before next year’s EU elections. [4]
Swedish Minister of Immigration Maria Malmer Stenergard made the following statements regarding this agreement: [5]
“We can now continue negotiations. It is important to enforce the agreement to maintain order and reduce influxes at the EU’s external borders.”
The bloc countries hope to enact these changes before the next round of EU elections. As a matter of fact, as support for anti-immigration political parties increases on the continent, the right-wing tendency in the EU parliament also increases. Describing the agreement as the “missing link” of the migration and asylum package, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said, “This agreement must be completed before Europeans go to the polls.” he said. [6]
As a result, the EU’s perspective on the migration and refugee crisis is shaped around cooperation and common policies between member states. However, this cooperation must be in compliance with human rights, which reveals the necessity of protecting immigrants and refugees and providing them with fair treatment. Policies such as the EU’s processing centers at external borders and the evaluation of asylum seekers’ requests are evaluated from both human rights and ethical perspectives.
[1] “EU Member States Reach Deal on Migration Policy”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/4/eu-member-states-reach-deal-on-migration-policy, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.10.2023).
[2] “EU Countries Reach Deal on Irregular Migration Policy”, Cable News Network World, https://t.ly/rz3WH, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.10.2023).
[3] Same page.
[4] “EU Member States Reach Deal on Migration Policy”, a.g.e., (Erişim Tarihi: 05.10.2023).
[5] Same page.
[6] “EU Countries Reach Deal on Irregular Migration Policy, a.g.e., (Erişim Tarihi: 05.10.2023).
