Migration - The New Federalist

When European migration practices clash with human rights

In 2015, the European Union (EU) experienced large migratory influxes, mainly from the African continent. Even though the number of arrivals was not as high as some made it seem, still the EU portrayed it as a crisis and accordingly, adopted a specific policy. Adopted in that same year, the (…)

Thursday 11 July 2019

EU asylum policy: The past, the present and the future

When the European Union was established as European Economic Community (EEC), the aim was one: creating a single market through continuous economic integration among Member States. Such an objective has been so rooted in the European mindset that in 1985 five EEC countries signed the Schengen (…)

Wednesday 10 July 2019

National to European and global: Securitisation and interconnectedness between levels of governance

Interconnectedness. A word we use every day when we think of international relations and immediately associate to the image of Prime Ministers shaking their hands. Yet, interconnectedness goes way beyond this picture to the point of encompassing the interactions among different levels of (…)

Tuesday 9 July 2019

Migration in the Mediterranean: between myth and reality

While news about rescue operations of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea keep making headlines in the media, certain assumptions have been arising as to the legality of non-governmental sea rescue and the role it plays in encouraging further departures from North Africa. Laura Schmeer from Eyes on Europe does a fact check of the most common (mis)conceptions.

Thursday 7 February 2019

The Global Compact for Migration: choosing a shared peaceful future

On 10th December 2018, Marrakech hosted the Global Compact of Migration adoption ceremony, before it was fully ratified on 19th December. This unprecedented text, whose negotiations ended in July 2018, seeks to promote the respect and safety that the 258 million international migrants (…)

Tuesday 1 January 2019

Is Europe betraying its own values with its refugee policy?

Flight and migration are important to people engaged in the discussion about Europe – as seen in the citizens’ dialogue of the Union of European Federalists Germany in Halle/Saale. Here, Theresa Bachman provides her perspective on the EU, its principles and migration.

Wednesday 17 October 2018

When people die because their rescuers are standing trial

While European politicians are discussing symbolic political measures and right-wing populists of all countries are trying to push through deportations and prevent immigration, hundreds of people continue to die in the Mediterranean attempting to reach Europe by sea. Civilian sea rescuers are doing their best to prevent this - and are increasingly criticised and criminalised for doing so. Meeting Halfway spoke with Claus-Peter Reisch, the captain of the Lifeline, about the the fraught situation.

Monday 13 August 2018

Why the Australian model will fail European asylum policy

Olav Soldal discusses why adopting the Australian model on asylum policy would not only be immoral, but also impracticable.

Saturday 28 July 2018

Closing the gateways to Europe: The triumph of racism?

Diletta Alese writes that the creation of a Fortress Europe is problematic from a democratic perspective.

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Denmark is seeking migrant workers

Danish companies are struggling with a decrease in the number of immigrant workers entering the country. They desperately need the workforce. Danish companies are still looking for employees outside their borders. One of most influential daily newspapers in the country, Jyllands-Posten, (…)

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Refugees and the European Identity: a sociological perspective

How does a refugee adopt a European identity? Sociologists’ work can inform the discussion, Richard Haringsma argues.

Thursday 29 December 2016

Mediterranean Sea: The Border between Hope and Death

As the death toll rises, the question of what Europe should be doing about external migration is becoming increasingly urgent. Reports of tragedy on the waters separating Africa from Europe have become increasingly common, with almost daily examples appearing in European media. This rapid (…)

Wednesday 13 May 2015