Europe on World Refugee Day

20-06-2023

Jakob Lindelöf

Europe and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence

June 20th sees World Refugee Day in recognition of those people who have fled their homes and sought refuge and safety from war zones, natural disasters, and persecution based on race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, political opinions, amongst many other situations that force them to leave.

This year has seen numerous incidents of refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean into European countries that have left many dead as they are forced to make the dangerous crossing. One case saw at least 62 people, including 12 children, drown in an attempt to reach Italy from Turkey, and in another case at least 29 people died off the coast of Tunisia (Al Jazeera, 2023; Jones, 2023). Last week also saw 78 people losing their lives near Greek waters who had sunk on a boat that came from Libya with some estimates counting up to 300 people missing in total (Smith, 2023). Crossings made over the English Channel from France also have had deadly consequences. Last December saw at least 4 people drown whilst managing to rescue 31 (Andersson, 2022).

According to the 2022 report by the UNHCR,  the total number of displaced people in Europe reached 21.8 million. This includes refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people and those who are stateless (UNHCR, 2022).

On June 8th, member states of the European Union came to a new agreement on how it should handle refugees and asylum seekers in regard to processing and relocation; however it still needs to be negotiated with and approved by the European Parliament. This new deal means stricter asylum procedure and greater ability to repatriate those whose applications have been denied. It also means that countries within the EU are given a choice between accepting migrants or instead being able to pay into a common EU fund (Sorgi & Barigazzi, 2023). Human Rights Watch has criticized this proposal arguing that these policies will further contribute to the violation of the rights of those seeking asylum at European border states, the increase in use detaining refugees, and the repatriation of migrants to the ambiguously worded “safe” countries which may put them at risk (Sunderland, 2023).

As the climate crisis worsens, persecution around the world continues, and wars are waged across the globe, help those seeking refuge, to aid the vulnerable who are in need, all whilst respecting their fundamental rights as humans.

Sources and further readings:

Al Jazeera (2023, February 23). Dozens killed as boat carrying refugees sinks off Italy. Al  Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/26/dozens-dead-after-migrant-boat-wreck-off-italy-coast

Andersson, J. (2022, December 14). Four people dead after migrant boat started sinking. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63968941

Jones, S. (2023, March 26). Refugees trying to reach Italy die after boats sink off coast of Tunisia. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/26/refugees-trying-to-reach-italy-die-after-boat-sinks-off-coast-of-tunisia

Sorgi, G. & Barigazzi, J. (2023, June 10). What’s actually in the EU’s migration deal.  Politico. Retrieved https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-migration-deal-asylum-seekers-relocation/

Smith, H. (2023, June 15). At least 78 people drown as refugee boat sinks off Greece. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/14/scores-drown-refugee-boat-sinks-off-greece 

Sunderland, J. (2023, June 9). New EU Migration deal will increase suffering at borders. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/09/new-eu-migration-deal-will-increase-suffering-bordersUNHCR. (2022). Global Report 2022. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved from https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/regions/europe