EU’s responsibility involves the duty to evaluate policies, to supervise the correct application of human rights clauses in all agreements on trade or cooperation and to promote the rights of women, children, minorities and displaced persons.
Responsibility implies PROTECTION. The European Union has the obligation to guarantee an area of ‘freedom, security and justice’, in cooperation with member states. Therefore, the EU community is in charge to ensure a space that ‘respects fundamental rights’ and guarantees an efficient ‘common asylum and migration policy’ within its territory (article 67.1 and 67.2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). What does it all mean? People living in refugee camps, people crossing the Mediterranean Sea, unaccompanied minors living in the streets are under the EU and member states protection. In other words, the EU Member States are responsible to safeguard vulnerable groups and to develop strategies which respond to large movements of refugees and migrants.
Responsibility implies AWARENESS: A mismanagement of EU migration and asylum policies could lead to inequalities and worsen the situation of people seeking international protection. Greece refugee camps are an example of how the lack of protection of EU asylum policies gives rise to dreadful living conditions to asylum seekers who are completely abandoned. The EU community cannot look the other way. It’s fundamental to: (i) analyze properly the current situation of asylum procedures and living conditions of asylum seekers, (ii) accept the failures of EU migration and asylum policy, (iii) respond reinforcing the asylum system and sharing responsibility between EU countries. Awareness is the first step to change.
Responsibility implies ACTION. The EU is responsible for what happens in its area and must act in cooperation with its member states as Greece, Spain, Italy etc. The current migration flows lead to a call to action for a space of protection and security for those who request it.
EU’s solidarity involves external policies and development cooperation. They play an important role in tackling global issues like poverty, insecurity, inequality and unemployment which are among the main root causes of forced displacement.
Solidarity implies INTERVENTION. A more global approach to cooperation with third countries (country of origin) is necessary to reduce forced displacement and to prevent dangerous journeys (smuggling across borders, sea crossings etc.). The majority of new arrivals in 2020 (arrived in Greece by sea) are from Afghanistan (3,005), Syria (1,867) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (653). The economic and socio-political situation in the countries of origin, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are the main causes of displacement. The poverty headcount ratio in DR Congo is extremely high. EU intervention and aid assistance could improve the prospects of the country of origin, such as DC Congo, addressing root causes of migration.
Solidarity implies ADAPTATION. To fulfil a successful aid action it is necessary to adjust development policies to each country’s needs. What are the driving factors of migration? Different factors lead to forced displacement: macro (armed conflict and human right violation, climate change, demographic trends) and micro (income, labour).
Solidarity implies WILLINGNESS: The EU decides on the degree of intervention of solidarity policies with third countries. The European community has the logistics and resources to cooperate and give humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations.
Is the European community indifferent to migration flows?
Does the EU have a benevolent asylum and migration policy?
Or do their political duties go beyond humanitarian policies?