Europe, Migration and
refugees
European Summer School: Europe in the 21st
century: Power, leadership and crisis.
16-18 January 2013
Assoc. Prof. Bruno Mascitelli
Swinburne University of Technology
(Contemporary European Studies Association of Australia)
Swinburne University of Technology,
Melbourne, Australia
1
Europe, migration and refugees
Summary of the presentation
• Migration an international phenomenon.
• Europe at the forefront of the movement of people.
• Theoretical approaches – help or hinder?
• Migration in the EU is both intra-EU activity as well as from
extra EU sources.
• Migration has become a key feature of the European body
politic especially in times of economic crisis.
• There is migration and migration – different forms?
• Migration – a human debate (xenophobic responses and
political backlash).
• EU movement of people, asylum seekers and refugees.
• Migration Policy and Integration – Is there a gap?
• The case of Roma/Gypsies and Muslims and others.
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Europe, migration and refugees
Some theoretical considerations
• Castles and Miller (2009) emphasise the complexity and
interconnectedness of migration and socio-political conditions migration is neither a new nor unusual phenomenon.
• Despite improvements in data provision some types of
migration are difficult to measure (Salt & Clarke 2005).
• Two economic migration theories, Currle (2006) and Glorius
and Mattuschewski (2009), also point out that migrations are
shaped by historical, technological and societal developments.
• Migration has been the object of study in many disciplines with
their own unique focus and specific approach to enquiry.
• This variety for Massey et al. (2005) call for a “comprehensive
theory” to international migration (Massey et al. 2005, p. 17),
and Favell (2008) ask for an interdisciplinary approach.
• A more commonly held view is that migration is too diverse and
multi-faceted for a single theory (Arango 2000), and that such a
theory would be so abstract as to be unhelpful (Castles 2012).
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Europe, migration and refugees
Some data on Migration
• International migration is the major factor contributing to
population change in regions of the world and Europe in particular.
• In 2005, the United Nations estimated that worldwide there were
about 191 million persons residing outside their country of birth, or
nearly 3% of the world’s population (UNFPA 2006).
• Excluding the former Soviet Union, Europe hosts about 19% of all
foreign-born persons in the world.
• This is striking considering that the population of this area only
represents 7–8% of the world’s population total.
• Since 1989, net immigration has contributed to at least 50% of the
European Union’s annual population growth and, in 2002, it
represented 85% compared to 27% in 1980 (Eurostat 2004).
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Europe, migration and refugees
Some observations on Migration and in and to Europe
• Europe has always been affected by migration.
• Demographic growth, climatic change, trade, warfare, conquest and
formation of nations, states and empires have all initiated population
movement.
• However, since World War II, the levels and sources of migrants have
changed considerably (Castles and Miller 2003).
• Foreign born populations are
growing rapidly as a result of very
low or negative levels of natural
increase among native-born populations
and by increasing levels of immigration.
• The diversity of foreign-born populations
is also expanding as European countries
are becoming increasingly more
connected with the world.
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Europe, migration and refugees
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Europe, migration and refugees
Migration before the European Union
•Until early 1970s, European countries saw much emigration
from Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK.
•Large numbers from these nations migrated to the Americas,
Australia and other European countries (notably France,
Switzerland, Germany and Belgium).
•With rising living standards in these countries, trend reversed
and these countries have now become attractive for immigration
(most notably from Morocco, Somalia, Egypt to Italy and
Greece; from Morocco, Algeria and Latin America to Spain and
Portugal; and from Ireland, India, Pakistan, Germany, the United
States, Bangladesh, and Jamaica to the UK).
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Europe, Migration and refugees
Migration patterns throughout Europe
• Migrant populations of recent portray changing scale and
nature of migration over the past decades.
• Calefato (1994), says 1980s immigration flows is expression of
growing of global inequalities between poor and rich countries.
• National rules and practices differ and change over time and
numbers and different countries and for different reasons.
• Much labor migration intended to be short term in cases
extended to long term migration.
• German Gastarbeiter migrant labor scheme in Germany in the
1960s saw migrants from Turkey, Greece, Italy, Morocco,
Portugal, Spain.
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Melbourne, Australia
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Europe, Migration and refugees
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Europe, Migration and refugees
Recent migration patterns into Europe (21st century)
•
•
•
•
2000s saw large waves of migration within and from without.
Peak at the end of 2007 – beginning of the GFC.
In 2008 - 3.8 million migrated to/between the EU 27 MS.
In 2008 - EU 27 MS received 2 mill migrants of other EU
nationalities - Romanians, Poles Bulgarians, Germans and
Italians (excluding nationals).
• 1.8 million immigrants from Non-EU source countries
(Morocco mostly to Spain and Italy) (Chinese to Spain 27%)
(most Indians to the UK).
• Introduction skilled migration leading to EU Blue Card Scheme.
• Student migration – much permanence to this scheme also.
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Europe, Migration and refugees
Top 10 citizenships of immigrants to EU-27 MS, 2008
('000s) (excluding nationals)
Portugal
Netherlands
Hungary
UK
France
Italy
Germany
Bulgaria
Poland
Romania
0
50
100
150
200
250
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Melbourne, Australia
300
350
400
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Europe, migration and refugees
Top 10 citizenships of Non-EU immigrants to EU-27 MS,
2008 ('000s)
Colombia
Russia
Turkey
USA
Brazil
Ukraine
Albania
India
China
Morocco
0
20
40
60
80
100
Swinburne University of Technology,
Melbourne, Australia
120
140
160
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Europe, migration and refugees
Migration before the European Union
• 1985 Schengen Agreement, allowed free movement within EU.
• EU member states citizens have the right to live and work
within the EU due to EU citizenship but citizens of non-EU or nonEEA states do not have those rights.
•Nevertheless, all holders of valid residence permits of a
Schengen State have the unrestricted right to travel within the
Schengen Area for tourist purposes only, and for up to three
months.
•Seen by some as encouragement to work illegally within the
Schengen zone.
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Europe, migration and refugees
Migration in the European Union
•Large numbers of immigrants in W. European states have come
from former eastern bloc states in the 1990s, especially in Spain,
Greece, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
•There are frequently specific migration patterns, with
geography, language and culture playing a role.
•For example, large numbers of Poles went to UK and Ireland
while Romanians and Bulgarians went to Spain and Italy.
•With previous two enlargements of the EU, many EU states
restricted free movement by nationals of the acceding countries,
UK did not – The 2004 enlargement of the EU thus receiving
Polish, Latvian and other citizens of the new EU states.
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Europe, migration and refugees
Migration in the European Union
• Many of these Polish immigrants to UK have since returned to
Poland, after the serious economic crisis in the UK.
• Free movement of EU nationals is now an important aspect of
migration within the EU of 27.
• Serious political tensions between Italy and Romania, since
Italy has expressed the intention of restricting free movement of
EU nationals (contrary to Treaty obligations).
• Another trend that of Northern Europeans moving toward
Southern Europe.
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Europe, migration and refugees
Migration in the European Union
•Citizens from the European Union make up a growing
proportion of immigrants in Spain, coming chiefly from the
United Kingdom and Germany, but also from Italy, France,
Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc.
•British authorities estimate that the population of UK citizens
living in Spain is much larger than Spanish official figures
suggest, establishing them at about 1,000,000, with 800,000
being permanent residents.
•According to one source, Spain was the most favoured
destination for Western Europeans considering to move from
their own country and seek jobs elsewhere in the EU! (FT 2007).
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Europe, migration and refugees
Immigration from outside of Europe since the 1980s
• In May 2009 the European Commission adopted the EU Blue
Card.
•This permit will make it easy for skilled third-country workers to
live and work in any of the participating EU member states.
•Legislation is now in place on a European level, gradually
member states will start accepting applicants to this program.
Pre-registration started in January 2010.
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Europe, migration and refugees
Britain facing new eastern Europe immigration surge
Britain is facing a new wave of Eastern European immigration which will put
British workers’ jobs at risk, experts have warned.
The Telegraph, 30 December 2012
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Europe, Migration and refugees
• Migration policy and integration
• A policy gap on immigration according to the OECD Immigration vs integration policies.
• Especially in some EU states local services is covering the
policy gap (Italy, Greece, Spain).
• Labour skills becoming a major driver in approaches to all
aspects of migration in Europe (skills as important as capital).
• Labour skills driver will be one of the rectifies of poor
integration of migration in EU.
• The Global/Eurozone Crisis has impacted on the profile of
migration and the recipient countries within the EU.
• High levels of unemployment in many EU states will drive
away migration to the more economically well off states.
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The contemporary approach to migration in EU
• Last decade many aspects of migration become high profile.
• Many member states grappling (struggling) with migration.
• Temporary cessation of Schengen unilaterally by some
member states to “deal with criminality” has demonstrated
the fragility of an EU approach.
• Deportations of Roma/Gypsies (holders of EU passports) from
France, Italy and Germany revealing in its intentions.
• The emotive nature of mobility within and from without EU
has become front page news.
• Many EU member states responding to their national
electorates and sidestepping EU commitments.
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Europe, Migration and refugees
Immigration to EU - Rise of Right wing
anti-immigration parties
• European parties of the far right are growing
in the financial crisis.
• In Greece it is the Golden Dawn,
in Finland it is the True Finns and
in Hungary it is Jobbik.
• Espana 2000 is Spain's answer to
the Front Nationale and is seeing
its membership grow by about 40
new members a week.
• Migrants become the scapegoat!
•
(From the BBC 19 December 2012)
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The changing muslim presence in Europe (2011)
Source: The Future of the Global Muslim Population - Projections for 2010-2030, January 27, 2011, The Pew Forum, 2011,
http://www.pewforum.org/future-of-the-global-muslim-population-regional-europe.aspx
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The “soft borders” and unofficial arrival of
immigrants to Italy (2008)
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The status of asylum seekers/refugees in the EU
• 1.5 million refugees living in the twenty seven Member
States of the EU plus Norway & Switzerland.
•Compared to a global figure of 16 million.
• EU MS - sovereignty over asylum seekers/refugees.
• This means conditions and benefits asylum
seekers/refugees vary in each EU Member State.
• Common European Asylum System is behind this
harmonisation.
• Contains a number of legal instruments covering issues
such as which Member State is responsible for hearing an
asylum claim, the procedures to be used in reviewing the
asylum claim and the living conditions pending a decision.
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The status of asylum seekers/refugees in the EU
• Concern that Europe which once protected refugees, now
eroding refugee protection.
•Past decade gradual erosion in the protection of the rights
of refugees and migrants in Europe.
•Post 9/11 security policies pushed aside human rights
concerns and responding to populist fear mongering.
•Backlashes against refugees became common for some
politicians and sections of the media, blamed for rises in
crime, health scares and economic woes.
•Refugees escape persecution to find freedom and safety.
•Portraying refugees and migrants as undeserving, greedy
or criminal – thus fuelling hostility, hatred and racism.
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Melbourne, Australia
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The status of asylum seekers/refugees in the EU
•The EU has over the years paid lip service to the human
rights of refugees and migrants.
• During the conflict in Libya European governments
expressed outrage at widespread
human rights violations and attacks
against civilians committed by the
Libyan regime.
• This exposed the double standard
when it came to their own approach.
• Amnesty say pretence to promote
the rights of refugees and migrants
but condoning abusive practices, to prevent them from
reaching Europe.
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Melbourne, Australia
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The status of asylum seekers/refugees in the EU
• Important cases of EU States failing to aid boats in
distress in the Mediterranean - showing EU States’
bending to own electorate and backlash.
• Some EU states rolling back human rights gains.
• Expectation was that EU Member States will protect the
rights of refugees and migrants and to come to their
rescue when their lives are at risk.
• “The UK government strongly embraces the principle of
managed migration, coupled with tough measures to
tackle abuse of the asylum system and illegal
immigration, while at the same time working to build
tolerance and enthusiasm for legal migration” (OECD
2006).
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The status of asylum seekers/refugees in the EU
Tunisian asylum seekers face image problem
Newly arrived Tunisian asylum seekers have been dubbed criminals
in recent press reports and described as “the worst we have had to
deal with” by asylum centre staff (SwissInfo, December 2011).
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Europe, Migration and refugees
The place of Roma/Gypsies in Europe
France's Immigration Policy Criticized for Targeting 'Gypsies‘
September 21, 2010 - A European Union official set off a political firestorm
this week when she likened France’s new immigration policy of rounding
up and deporting members of the Roma population -- commonly called
Gypsies -- to Nazi ethnic cleansing in World War II.
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Europe, Migration and refugees
Thank you
Any questions?
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