To contain migratory waves, the European Union (EU) protects itself in its own way. Close its borders to prevent masses of Afghan, Syrian, Libyan or sub-Saharan African refugees fleeing war and poverty from flooding in? Since no fortress of this size could be completely waterproof, it would not be of much use.
Despite the evidence, the idea of ??Fortress Europe seems to be fashionable within the Union. In Hungary, Poland, Italy, Sweden or Denmark, for example. Without forgetting the countries (Austria, Slovakia, Greece) which are asking for a significant increase in the budget devoted to border protection.
So, for a decade, the European Union has been increasing initiatives intended to protect its space: by financing walls and detention centers, sometimes far from its borders. Or by quadrupling the budget of Frontex, the European border guard agency.
The dirty work “
But above all by outsourcing its migration policy, through agreements concluded with countries that do not belong to the EU, but are ready, for financial reasons, to do the “dirty work”. In other words, to arrest, lock up and possibly send home candidates to the European El Dorado, far from the borders of the EU. Slow down the influx upstream, but at what cost?
The documentary Migrants, the faults of Fortress Europe, by Fabrice Launay and Sebastian Perez Pezzani does not just highlight the hypocrisy and dangers of this outsourcing policy. Through concrete examples, particularly in Turkey and Niger, we can see how big the European Union is risking by outsourcing its border protection policy.
The example of the agreement signed with Turkey is edifying. At the end of 2015, the EU released 3 billion euros for the Turks to prevent migrants from crossing into Europe. An article stipulates that the EU must, to relieve Turkey, accept one million refugees (particularly Syrian) on its soil in four years. In the twelve months preceding this agreement, one million people had reached Greece from Turkey. In the twelve months following the agreement, only 26,000 will set foot on Greek soil. Bet won for Fortress Europe?
In 2016, during the repressions organized by President Erdogan in his country, the EU considered that it no longer had to honor its promise to welcome refugees from Turkey onto its soil. The Turks feel betrayed. But taking advantage of Erdogan as a border guard is very practical. Brussels then added 3 billion in aid to Turkey, which welcomes nearly 4 million refugees on its soil.
In his role as border guard, Erdogan has obvious means of pressure on the EU which, at the cost of contortions on the right to asylum, manages to contain the influx of refugees. Thanks to Turkey, Europe has, in a way, moved its eastern border. For how long ? In 2022, violating international law, Ankara returned 45,000 Afghans to Kabul. Forced returns of which the EU washes its hands.
This outsourcing strategy is found as far away as Niger. A traditional transit center for immigrants from all over sub-Saharan Africa, the city of Agadez has become the terminus of hope. On site, a transit center welcomes refugees. Brussels finances it, but imposes a condition: that the unfortunate people promise to return to their country of origin. As absurd as it is cruel.