The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a tragedy for Afghans, but it also provides a sad sign of the EU’s growing xenophobia.
Few people are aware of the plight of most Afghans. They were suddenly brought back to the darkest Middle Ages by force, mainly because a decision of the United States was treason for them. It is natural for them to try to escape back into the 21st century, even if it means putting their lives in danger.
But Europeans don’t want Afghan refugees. It is not breaking news that Europe does not want the immigration crisis of 2015-2016 to happen again, although the EU has not formally abandoned the general principle of asylum policy, which provides assistance to third-country nationals in need of international protection.
However, with the crisis in Afghanistan, the discourse is changing.
“Protection is yes, but elsewhere. No matter where it is, it may be in Central Asia, but not in the European Union, and certainly not in my country.” This is what we hear more and more from politicians. Not only in the country of Visegrad. Their neighbor, Austria, has actually taken the lead, while others have silently sided with its Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz.
The reason may be that the expected flow of refugees is important, but also because they are Afghans, they are considered dangerous. “The EU has no place for Afghan refugees”, Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis said, Tied with Kurz in Austria and Hegel in Slovakia. It’s that simple.
By the way, during the Cold War, the Traiskirchen camp in Austria was the gateway to the West for thousands of fugitives from Eastern Europe (many of whom fled to the United States). At that time, the European asylum policy was also a tool to weaken its east-wing communism.
At that time, the communist countries were building walls and fences, not to stop immigration, but to prevent their own people from leaving.
However, when communism collapsed and people from other regions, other races, and Muslim religions began to arrive, the asylum policy, which was also based on human rights principles, became clearly unsustainable.
Hypocrisy and xenophobia are mutually reinforcing. And the times, they are changing.
Years ago, Kurz publicly described Malala’s impression of himShe was a victim of the Pakistani Taliban because she fought for the right to go to school.
Malala later won the Nobel Peace Prize and became a symbol of the struggle for women’s education. There are thousands of little “sisters” in Afghanistan. What opportunity did Kurz give them? Have a chance to be killed in Afghanistan, or die on a dangerous journey to the EU border?
Border, or wall? Because today it is the European Union that is building the wall.
“It is illegal to fight back at the border”, The European Commission stated in 2013Today, we are obstructed in places such as the Turkish-Greek border, Belarus-Lithuania or Belarus-Poland border, but no one wants to see them. Including Frontex, the EU border agencyThey only see the “event” and seek “clarification”… the worst is bureaucracy.
“Promote the European lifestyle“The controversial commissioner title in the current administration is becoming an excuse for establishing a “European fortress.”
Former committee chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said “this seems to be another era”We want to build bridges, not walls“. This bridge is a symbol of the European Union. Have you noticed that there is a bridge on every euro banknote? Or is it an outdated symbol?
Of course, there are also voices of wisdom.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella warned Those EU politicians who say that Afghans should stay where they are “do not conform to EU values.” But in the same Italy, The far right is getting stronger and stronger, Mainly on the anti-immigration agenda.
The latest announcement from the European Union 2021 Strategic Outlook Report Said that in the process of pursuing global leadership in 2050, the EU will not turn internally, but adhere to its principles and values and remain agile in behavior. The report pointed out the decline of global democracy, but remained silent on its decline in the European Union.
Before daring to mention “global leadership”, the EU should answer this question: How much are these famous “European values” worth? Hasn’t it been depreciating? Has this committee done enough to support them? Or does each committee perform less than before, in the race to the bottom as far as possible from global leadership?
Summary
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At this point-the head of the EU border agency said Expected influx of Afghans seeking asylum, Regardless of whether a large-scale evacuation occurs. EU leaders emphasized that Afghans will not be sent back to unsafe countries, but will not include people from neighboring countries posing as Afghan refugees.
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Pay close attention, watch out, watch out…
- The Eurogroup held a meeting on Friday to discuss the economic situation in the Eurozone and the management of the impact of COVID-19.
- The informal meeting of ministers of economy and finance started on Friday.
- The 29th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum concluded in Prague.
Views are author’s
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
