In August 2015, a dead Syrian toddler washed up on the shores of Turkey.
He was one of the thousands of migrants fleeing their war torn countries.
As more and more people seek asylum in the European Union, some are questioning EU leaders
for their slow response.
So, is the European Union to blame for the migrant crisis?
Over the past few years, numerous North African and Middle Eastern countries have seen extreme
violence and instability.
Millions of people have been displaced, and many are choosing to make the long journey
into Europe.
Two-thirds of asylum seekers are concentrated in just four countries, Germany, Italy, France,
and Sweden.
Many European residents complain that nearly half of the new immigrants are economic refugees
from impoverished African nations, and are not fleeing active warzones.
On the other hand, the incoming migrants represent only 0.027 percent of the total EU population.
While residents have denounced the wave of quote “illegal immigrants”, those arriving
by sea are completely within their legal rights to enter the EU in search of asylum.
In fact, a primary source of blame is being placed on several EU countries for refusing
to fund rescue efforts in the Mediterranean Sea.
As the number of immigrants crossing into Europe rose in late 2013, Italy launched a
search and rescue program to help save migrants whose overcrowded ships were capsizing.
Although the program was extremely small, it was said to have saved roughly 150,000
people during its year-long run.
When Italy asked other European governments for help with funding, they were refused.
Instead, the EU launched a separate program focused on border protection instead of search
and rescue efforts.
The following year saw a tenfold increase in migrant deaths.
Some political groups are pointing out that desperate refugees will continue coming, to
escape death and poverty back home.
One European Parliament representative was quoted as saying “Europe is responsible
for these deaths by turning a blind eye”.
However not all countries are so complicit.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel released directives in August 2015 that all Syrian refugees would
be granted asylum in Germany.
This is in direct opposition to an EU policy known as the “Dublin Procedure”.
Effectively, it forces refugees to seek asylum in the country they first arrive in, putting
severe strain on border countries like Greece and Italy.
So is the EU actually responsible for migrant deaths?
In a few ways, yes.
While some argue that it’s not the EU’s responsibility to rescue and accept those
who are not citizens, international human rights laws, and humanitarian laws say that
there ARE certain obligations countries hold towards asylum seekers.
Luckily, in September 2015, the EU began the process of redistributing over 120,000 migrants
throughout its 28 member states.
So while the EU has made missteps in dealing with the migrant crisis, it can’t be said
that they aren’t trying to help.
For many migrants, the final destination is Germany.
But why is that, and how do their lives change once they get there?
Find out more in this Seeker Daily video.
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