With conflicts scattering the Middle East & North Africa, thousands of refugees enter ever-increasingly overpopulated camps or risk their lives crossing the Meditteranean on dinghies barely fit to cross a lake. This alone presents a huge humanitarian issue, so the question has to be asked; is Europe still willing to accept these victims of conflict & poverty, or turn them away?
The End of European Hospitality?
There’s no need for an introduction to the harrowing conflicts around the Middle East & North Africa, and if you would like to further inform yourself, feel free to take a look at this article as a prime example of the horrors people are attempting to escape. Over half a million refugees enter the European Union each year, in addition to those finding hope in the UK, Turkey, and other non-EU states. Sweden for example, has 1% of its population made up of refugees, arriving just in one year alone.
This brings many opportunities for the nations these people are seeking a home in. An influx of labour more likely to take lower-paying jobs and the increased population simply stimulating the economy through the providing of demand for homes and infrastructure.
But the government is footing the bill, so who cares right? Well, this is one such point wielded by anti-immigrant parties dotted around Europe. And to be fair, it’s valid, why should we pay for the comfort of citizens from other nations? The UN says we should, that’s the moral thing to do, and it’s what I believe we have a responsibility to do as comparatively well off people, to help others. However, it’s not quite as cut and dry as it may seem, as International law states that refugees MUST seek asylum in the first nation deemed ‘stable.’ However, not all ‘stable’ countries are born equal. Greece is deemed suitable for refugees, naturally with its incredibly high unemployment, unique and hard to learn alphabet & language, it’s the perfect place to settle your new life. I hope you can tell the Irony of the situation; Greece is the point of entry to Europe for many, yet it is less than ideal to easily integrate into. So, what if you speak French but end up in Greece? You may well have to break the law to set your feet down somewhere you could viably live. France actually uses this as a weapon against the UK, as it receives millions to keep refugees out of the UK, but often many have lost their lives on boats trying to reach further shores. This voyage is often seen as one simply to reap the rewards of government social welfare, and not for better career prospects or for the chance to be able to understand the local language. This idea ferments and leads to hate towards refugees, a vast majority of whom are solely focused on a better, safer future for them and their children. The minority who do act up though, who do exist, and who shout ‘racism’ when called out, are weaponised as the image of all refugees, a prime example of why “they aren’t welcome in our country.” This not only affects the public perspective but can adversely affect the intricacies of the refugee's lives. Unemployment rates among asylum refugees are double that of natives (Using UK analytics.) Generational bias is also passed down to form a barrier for refugee children in education. If you are constantly being told you don’t belong and don’t have a future, you’re likely to give up on attaining one. In turn, this leads to lower employment rates & higher crime, furthering the divide between refugee families & native-born, with this systemic disadvantage being passed down through families.
Segregation, Alienation & Radicalisation.
Refugee camps may be a necessity to house the sheer number of people entering Europe’s borders, but this partition between refugees and those who call that nation home leads to a misunderstanding of each other’s purpose and culture. The semblance of prison may lead refugees to believe they’re being held there as they ‘aren’t wanted.’ This idea in addition to the cramped conditions leads to easy radicalisation of uneducated and vulnerable people. Further increasing the divide between the small white tents and the brick and mortar houses across the way. The term ‘refugee’ or ‘immigrant’ can now come with a seething tone, something to be despised, which horrifies me personally. As a society, how have we come to reject those who need our embrace? Though I have to agree, it’s unacceptable how some areas have to bear a greater burden than others. Germany and Sweden have accepted more than their fair share, whereas the governments of Austria, Poland & Hungary to name a few, have political parties who thrive on anti-immigrant policy to get themselves into power. This tide of hatred has swept to my home town too. The Manchester arena bombing resulted in a surge of support for the EDL, BNP & UKIP - Parties who all resent immigration, claiming it to be a plague upon our land.
Without proper systems in place to integrate these displaced people with the natives of a country, the divide will only grow stronger with every day.
What’s the solution?
The solution does not lie in the places refugees are looking to settle, it lies in the places they used to lead lives in; Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Niger. If these states once again regain stability, this crisis may see an end, the endless tides of people cannot be accepted in such great numbers as they are now. Though many of the issues faced in these struggling areas are caused by Big Stick Diplomacy from Russia, the US or as a relic from Colonial Borders. Additionally, reform in UN policy to allow for Asylum seeking based on multiple factors including language would also help, but how can you do your bit? Of course, donate to trusted charities, such as the Red Cross & Doctors Without Borders. These organisations can do an endless amount of good with even a small amount. Beyond this, you can lead yourself into a life of politics, become the change which is so needed on our ageing planet, and as I have said before, come up with your own solution. If the perfect solution was out there, the crisis would be over.
Be the person who can help, be the person who creates a positive, lasting change. Good luck.
Matthew Minnis
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