Death At Sea & Border “Insecurity”: How Failure To Respond To The Global Refugee Crisis Is Hauling Us Away From Peace

 

The current so-called “migration crisis” on the Mediterranean is drawing more and more widespread attention, which should bring much-needed awareness to the problems faced by today’s displaced persons (i.e. refugees). Instead, the mounting discourse pivots around increased border control, and more importantly, the provision of resources aimed at making migration more difficult for those who are already at the losing end.

According to the United Nations, there are over 50 million displaced persons worldwide, due to conflict, persecution, poverty, etc. Recent years have seen a sharp rise in those fleeing war in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, mayhem in Somalia, and a violent dictatorship in Eritrea. With land-entry to Europe essentially locked off, many of those in such desperate situations make the decision to illegally enter through the Mediterranean. Last year alone, the UN reports that over 219,000 people crossed the Mediterranean seeking entry to Europe, a record. Amnesty International draws attention to the fact that 43% of those who traveled the Mediterranean last year were refugees, many coming from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq—all sites of major ongoing conflicts.

With harsh conditions in crude (and often violent) means of travel, this has become one of the deadliest networks of travel routes. This year, at least 2,000 people have already died while attempting the voyage. According to Amnesty, at least 200,000 more are waiting for their chance to make the crossing. Many have criticized the European Union for failing to provide safer means for refugees seeking asylum, thus forcing them to make often fatal decisions.

While many international instruments have been in place to protect these vulnerable persons, such as the UNHCR’s Refugee Convention (1951), they have only provided protection in a passive sense–rather than as necessary reasons for action. Privately financed immigrant rescue organizations have recently made headlines, such as the Maltese-based Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS). This should only serve to shame political leaders, and such initiatives should not be expected to bear the full responsibility. Elected officials must be held up to task, and all member states must demonstrate their obligations by ensuring that provisions are made for the peaceful transportation and protection of refugees.

So far, it seems the EU has generally been reluctant to do so. Though the Common European Asylum System ensures that once a migrant has reached European soil they are given certain rights, there have been documented widespread abuses. For instance, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have called for more focus on systemic “pushbacks”—that is, the ways in which nations evade international protocol and act in direct contravention of EU law by intervening before the boats reach European shores. The focus on increased border security has also contributed to this atmosphere, with human rights organizations reporting violent mistreatment and physical abuse by border guards and police. It is imperative that the European Commission mete out harsher measures than just verbal reprimands for offending countries.

In April this year, EU leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss the crisis after a boat wreck left 900 people dead. A 10-point plan of action was developed, with much of the focus on calls for military force against traffickers and increased border protection. Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti was quoted telling reporters, “We know where the smugglers keep their boats, where they gather…The plans for military intervention are there.”

However, such responses divert the attention away from the root causes propelling this crisis, and have the effect of ignoring the plight of the migrants themselves. Furthermore, they exasperate already scant resources that could otherwise effectively assist those desperately seeking asylum in European nations. A statement released by UN officials criticizing the modest efforts to this “tragedy of epic proportions” said in part,

“The European Union response needs to go beyond the present minimalist approach… As a paramount principle, the safety, protection needs, and human rights of all migrants and refugees should be at the forefront of the E.U. response… without realistic and substantial alternative channels for people to reach safety, the much-needed increase in international efforts to crack down on smugglers and traffickers is unlikely to be effective.”

It is clear that a more urgent response is needed, and closing the gates on the most vulnerable victims of crisis should not be considered an adequate measure. With the burgeoning conflicts, and rise in global threats to peace, those who are most directly affected should always be considered. The tragedy often faced by those fleeing life-threatening realities brings attention to the aftermath of all the conflicts being perpetrated, and illustrates the need for more substantive efforts at peacemaking. There is a primary responsibility for the protection of and assistance to these displaced persons.

Preceding the summit in Brussels, Amnesty International published a briefing called “Europe’s sinking shame: The failure to save refugees and migrants at sea”. In it, the organization also criticizes some of the responses, and calls for the immediate launch of a humanitarian operation to save lives at sea. They also echo the need for immediate deployment of safer alternative means of transition to European nations for asylum seekers. In the report, last year’s decision to end the Italian Navy’s humanitarian search and rescue operation Mare Nostrum is condemned, and linked to the increase in deaths. European nations are further implicated for their approach to closing off land routes, in effect forcing asylum seekers to take desperate measures. Thus, European governments have a serious responsibility that they cannot absolve themselves of. Focusing on survivors’ testimonies and hard data, Amnesty’s message is clear:

“European governments must urgently deploy more resources in the context of a European multi-national humanitarian operation dedicated to assisting refugees and migrants in peril in the central Mediterranean, bring them to a place of safety and ensure access to international protection…including resettlement and humanitarian admission places as well as increased regular migration channels, on a scale which offers a genuine alternative to those currently considering the sea crossing.”

At the top of the list of recommendations is the immediate deployment of a multinational humanitarian operation aimed at saving lives on the Mediterranean Sea, with naval and aerial resources instead targeting high migration routes to save vulnerable travelers. The organization suggests in the meantime supporting Italy and Malta in their current search-and-rescue missions. Finally, European nations are advised to work on providing viable safer travel alternatives, as well as ensuring the protection and processing of refugees.

Inevitably, this has also brought increased attention to issues of immigration in Europe, with calls for a more coherent immigration policy. Proving that immigration is never an easy–or appealing–political subject, German leaders have been demanding a more “even” distribution of incoming refugees to help deal with the country’s recent influx. Together, governments should increase the number of resettlement places, admissions, and visas for people in need of international protection and ensure that refugees have effective access to asylum, as a safer and more peaceful alternative. Without a more united and results-oriented approach, the threat of a collapse of EU accords looms in the horizon.

Italy’s Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni warned today,

“On immigration, Europe is in danger of displaying the worst of itself: selfishness, haphazard decision-making and rows between member states…Today it is on this issue that Europe will either rediscover its soul or lose it for good.”

A summit is planned in Malta for November, and in anticipation EU ministers will meet to discuss the crisis. With Amnesty International’s projection of the number of those looking to make the deadly voyage, serious measures must be taken immediately. Perhaps the growing attention will compel the leaders to make real change. Addressing the plight of today’s displaced persons sheds light on the potential of mutual human solidarity. This can reinforce the means of peaceful coexistence, which can then contribute to less conflict and forced dispersion.

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