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Refugees Asylum Seekers and Migrants in Europe
The last few years have seen a growth in xenophobia and
intolerant nationalism in Europe. Events like September 11th and
the war in Iraq have intensified an atmosphere of suspicion and
fear and toughened the approach to refugees and immigrants
worldwide. Strangers in our midst are, it seems, no longer
welcome.
All these developments are coming at a time when Europe is still
reluctant to see one of its most striking problems: the ageing
European population. The numbers of children under 14 years of
age and adults over 60 are hugely disproportionate. Whereas the
average age in Brazil is 27 years, the average age in Belgium
is 40. And the older Europeans are, the more they have the
tendency to perceive migration solely as a threat to their
living standards. An inability to see the enriching aspects of
migration serves to build the barriers higher.
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In an effort to convince voters that immigration is under
control and being managed in their interests, governments have
adopted ever more repressive legislation at the expense of human
rights and of the dignity of the individual migrant or refugee.
The emphasis on border control and monitoring the movement of
migrants only offers a short-term solution and easy political
capital. However, the corollary of this approach is that
migrants are perceived as an increasing threat and their rights
are constantly diminished. Furthermore, they are often put into
situations of extreme danger in trying to circumvent barriers to
migration, such as border controls, by relying on smugglers and
traffickers. |
In this situation JRS Europe is trying to promote a more
tolerant and respectful environment for those who are
“foreigners in a foreign land” and who are waiting for our
understanding and acceptance.
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