‘Refugee Crisis’ – ‘EU Crisis’? The Response to Inflows of Asylum-Seekers as a Battle for the European Soul. College of Europe Policy Brief #6.16, March 2016

Emiliani, Tommaso (2016) ‘Refugee Crisis’ – ‘EU Crisis’? The Response to Inflows of Asylum-Seekers as a Battle for the European Soul. College of Europe Policy Brief #6.16, March 2016. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Executive Summary > Labelling the current high inflow of asylum-seekers to the EU a ‘refugee crisis’ shifts the focus from the EU’s lack of a coherent response to the alleged ‘burden’ that refugees represent for Europe. > Member states’ security-oriented approach is not effective in curbing arrivals and indeed does not remove the long-term causes of people’s decisions to leave their homes. > The EU needs to reframe the issue of refugee/migrant inflows in more comprehensive terms so as to live up to its core values and legal obligations regarding the humanitarian protection of people in need. > Firm political commitment is necessary to align values and action, and provide a durable solution to the EU’s current identity crisis. > In practical terms, EU and member state officials from the foreign affairs and development fields as well as stakeholders from civil society need to work alongside justice and home affairs officials to shape and implement appropriate measures.

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