Saferworld
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives.
ID: 891548520884-30
Lobbying Activity
Response to New Pact on Migration and Asylum
27 Aug 2020
Saferworld welcomes the opportunity for the EU to put the protection of migrants, and those fleeing violent conflict, at the heart of this new pact. We believe the EU principles of civilian protection, sanctuary for those fleeing violent conflict and transparent asylum systems must be the priorities of this new pact. This is an opportunity for the EU to substantially contribute to human security, peace and development through a holistic and just approach to migration, and for the paralysed CEAS to be rendered fit for purpose.
Current EU migration policies do not address the complex reasons why people migrate, and are forced to flee their homes. Instead, these policies are based upon the EU externalising its border controls, often using the services of security forces and military personnel, with a perverse system of incentives creating an endless cycle of security approaches that stoke tensions and contribute directly to regional instability.
This externalisation policy has had detrimental impacts on the safety, rights and livelihoods of innumerable people beyond Europe’s borders. It has led to migrants and refugees being dehumanised and reduced to “migrant flows” who are managed in terms of numbers. For example, the new EU naval mission, IRINI is mandated to deliberately restrict any contact with migrants and refugees fleeing from Libya. This is despite migrants and refugees, including children continuing to die whilst attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
This current policy contrasts with the fact that the majority of global migration is regional: for example, 75% of migration in sub Saharan Africa is regional. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 refugees are hosted by low and middle income countries outside of the EU.
Thousands of migrants and refugees seeking asylum in Europe are currently interned in camps, especially across Libya, Greece and between the borders of Greece and Turkey. The conditions are frequently deplorable, and individuals can be forced to wait years before beginning the asylum process. This containment policy needs to change, through a functioning and just relocation system ensuring that all member states take their share of responsibility for giving sanctuary to those who need it.
The prioritisation of migration in EU bilateral relations with third countries, has come at the cost of the EU’s ability to negotiate and promote peace, stability and human rights through external relations. Therefore, negotiations on the external dimension of this new migration pact must be based on a comprehensive assessment of the impact of its external migration policy on conflict dynamics, with specific attention to gender impacts.
As this new migration pact will directly impact on the lives of migrants, refugees and citizens of countries of origin and transit, it is essential that their views are meaningfully reflected in the pact negotiations. We call on the Commission and Member States to ensure there is meaningful consultation with communities and civil society in countries of origin and transit during these negotiations.
Current migration policies conflate people’s rights to migrate with EU member states security policies, and especially counterterrorism strategies. These need to be clearly separated, with more emphasis on expanding and improving pathways for migrants and refugees; through humanitarian corridors, where migrants’ and refugees’ rights can be monitored and upheld, and all civilians can be better protected.
It is time to change the migration narrative, for migration approaches to be firmly based upon principles of humanitarian protection, and to acknowledge the immense value that migrants and refugees can and do contribute to host countries.
It is imperative this new migration pact is coherent with other EU strategies, and priorities, such as addressing root causes of forced displacement, extending legal migration and asylum, victim protection, women’s rights, child rights and antidiscrimination.
Read full responseResponse to Evaluation of the EU's external action in the policy area of irregular migration
26 Oct 2018
The EU’s approach to migration and forced displacement has increasingly focussed on combating trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling. While we acknowledge the EU’s efforts to address the concerns of European citizens, we believe that such an approach fails to address the root causes of conflicts and instability driving displacement in the first place. Our research on a number of origin and transit countries have demonstrated that quick and securitised fixes have exacerbated these long-term and complex issues. More specifically, EU’s policies and practices based on enhanced securitisation and externalisation of migration and border controls are counterproductive and risk fuelling conflict and displacement.
The containment policy pursued by the EU in Libya is a clear example of this trend. By securitising and outsourcing the management of the migration flows to the Libyan militias, the EU is offering some of these armed groups perverse incentives to exploit the suffering of migrants in inhuman detention camps to gain additional money. Training and supporting financially the Libyan coast guard appears problematic, considering the reported links between some of the recipients of EU training and traffickers in human beings. Ultimately, the containment policy undermines the EU’s strategic objective for Libya which is the stabilisation of the country.
In Lebanon, Saferworld’s research showed the danger associated to the increased securitisation of the Syrian refugee crisis. Harsh security measures to stem migration and refugee flows often entail poor record of human rights and fuel mistrust and resentment between refugees and host communities, driving conflict and undermining stability. Lebanon would benefit from is a holistic and rights-based approach to the Syrian refugee crisis which addresses human security of all communities.
An important pillar of the EU’s approach to irregular migration is the establishment of partnerships with third countries, which, however, often call into question the EU’s normative role. Under the Khartoum Process, the EU is supporting the same governments that are responsible for creating or failing to deal with the conditions of violent conflict or repression that drive people from their homes. This risks providing international legitimacy, additional resources and a free hand to the governing élites that are part of the problem and most in need of reform.
The deal agreed between the EU and Turkey is problematic for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has led to overcrowding and deterioration of migrants’ conditions in processing camps on the Greek islands, while fuelling the exasperation of host communities. Moreover, constrained by the deal, the EU seems to be downplaying instances of repression and abuses in Turkey, including the trend toward restrictive refugee policies, as reported by several organisations.
Finally, the EU tends to instrumentalise its development aid for short term political objectives, as funding remains tied to the “fight against migration”. The EU, for instance, provides considerable development aid and financial support to Niger, in a bid to stem “illegal migration”. However, development funds diverted to security measures are mostly absorbed by the Nigerien government, undermining the legitimacy of the aid itself and creating discontent among the local population.
Overall, it is crucial for the EU and its credibility in the world to shift away from short-term, over-securitised measures to control migration that enhance states’ capacity and risk trapping displaced people in dangerous contexts. The EU’s approach needs to be informed by a solid understanding of migration drivers and dynamics and address the underlying factors that cause displacement. Migration policies and practices need to be in line with the EU’s Global Strategy which identifies the integrated approach as the framework for engagement by the EU to external crises and promotes human security.
Read full responseMeeting with Michael Curtis (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)
4 Oct 2017 · Peacebuilding, mediation and security issues