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THE STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
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Slow to roll out the welcome mat...
Member States are implementing the agree-
ments reached following the adoption of the
European Commission’s relocation proposal in a
passive, uncoordinated and irresponsible man-
ner.
Despite the fact that the welfare and lives of
thousands of human beings are hanging in the
balance, Member States are shamelessly drag-
ging their feet as though there were no particu-
lar or pressing need to assume their obligations
and commitments concerning refugee reloca-
tion in an expedient and timely manner.
As previously noted in this chapter, we
should never forget that the right to asylum is
an inalienable right inscribed in the Geneva
Convention and the New York Protocol, key le-
gal instruments that define the rights of refu-
gees and the legal obligations of states in regard
to people seeking asylum. EU Member States
should never make the mistake of construing
the reception of refugees as a charitable gesture
on their part; as signatories to the above-men-
tioned treaties, they have an obligation to assist
and accept the refugees now fleeing to Europe.
Of the 180,000 refugees included in the
European Commission’s proposal for relocation
and resettlement in Member States, only 583
have been placed to date: 18 have been relo-
cated to Spain and 779 have been resettled
elsewhere in Europe. No one in the resettlement
category has yet to be accepted by Spain.
Meanwhile, between one summit meeting
and the next at which the only agreements
reached concern the construction of new bor-
der fences, refugees have been left to fend for
themselves in the freezing cold of a European
winter.
The passivity of Member States has revealed
the lack of the political will and commitment
needed to resolve this desperate situation.
Whilst the conditions under which thousands of
people are living are becoming more and more
unsustainable every day, European governments
do nothing but sit on their hands, bicker
amongst themselves and implement ad hoc so-
lutions. We are sadly witnessing how the EU as
a whole is delaying the implementation of
measures critically needed to deal with this hu-
manitarian crisis.
The relocation progress is has gotten off to
such a slow start that many refugees have de-
cided to fend for themselves. Thousands have
been moving on their own from Greece and
Italy towards other European countries under
highly dangerous conditions.
Although alarming positions have been
adopted by certain Member States such as
Hungary, which is not acting in accord with in-
ternational and European treaties in respect to
asylum issues, the EU has refrained from impos-
ing sanctions.
This type of attitude indicates the degree to
which the foundational values of the EU and
respect for human rights are in serious peril.
... and swift to avoid actual relocation and
settlement
All of the solutions currently being bandied
about are focused on brushing what is misguid-
edly being referred to as a refugee crisis as far
as possible from our borders.
The idea of enticing Turkey to act a buffer
zone and assuming responsibility for doing
whatever it takes to reduce the flow of refugees
streaming towards Europe is a prime example of
this line of thinking. This plan, by which Turkey
would receive 3 billion euros to cover the costs
of its efforts and visa exemptions would be