Migration - European Alternatives

MIGRATION

Migration is, in most countries, subject to questioning, public debates and polemics because of its heavy ideological and symbolic burden. But migration is also a phenomenon increasingly difficult to approach at a national level alone, and for which a progressive European response must be imagined. In the field of human rights, Europe possesses a unique institutional architecture, presenting itself, moreover, as a model in this regard. Yet, for many people living within its borders, the reality is that protection from fundamental rights abuses is far from guaranteed.

Migration

"Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected"
Article 1 of the Charter of Fundamental rights

"Collective expulsions are prohibited. No one may be removed, expelled or extradited to a State where there is a serious risk that he or she would be subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
Article 19 of theCharter of Fundamental rights

Migration continues to be one of the issues that worry Europeans the most. A continent that as recently as fifty years ago was basically mono-ethnic is now one of the most diverse in the planet. Reducing migration is one of the political promises that have been heard more loudly and that have won mandates to government. This has had tragic consequences for migrants themselves and for society as a whole. In Britain, universities and businesses are seeing some of their brightest students and workers been forced to leave the country. All across Europe the anti-migration hysteria has made most government invest massively in detention centres for “illegal” or unidentified migrants. Some of these migrants are held in this detention centres for as long as eighteen months, often undergoing some of the worse human rights violations seen in this continent since the end of WW2.

European Alternatives, through the Citizens Pact will explore best practices within the field of migration, to support a more equal, diverse and open continent.

01/01/2013 -

The map of illegal detention of migrants in Europe

20/12/2012 - Most people in Europe are not aware that detention centers for migrants are a reality throughout the continent. In 2012, nearly 420 were active in EU and neighbouring countries.

Detained in perdition

07/12/2012 - An account on Spanish migrants’ detention centres.

Global Health, Global Security

29/11/2012 - To improve the health of migrants’ means to improve the health of the world population and goes beyond a security focused approach to migration control which only superficially ...