European mainstream parties cave to far-right over migration
This month, we have seen centre-left governments bluntly caving in to right and far-right narratives and policies that treat migration as a threat. In Germany, following far-right electoral gains in Saxony and Thuringia, the centre-left Scholz government decided to reintroduce internal border checks at all its land borders reportedly to increase apprehensions of people in an irregular situation and asylum-seekers coming from other EU countries with a view of deporting them.
Only days before, the government had reversed a policy that prevented deportations to Afghanistan following the reinstatement of the Taliban government in 2021 and allowed the deportation of 28 Afghan nationals.
In the UK, the Labour government has been pursuing repressive approaches to people smuggling, without considering new routes for people to reach the UK in safety. Despite scraping the Rwanda deal, which would have seen the UK sending asylum-seekers to the African country, Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the far-right Italian government’s approach towards irregular migration and reportedly expressed interest in the Italy-Albania externalisation deal. Over the summer, Home Secretary Yvette Coopear announced immigration raids in car washes and nail bars to identify, detain and deport people in an irregular situation.
In the meantime, in France, new Prime Minister Michel Barnier already announced tougher migration policies. As Hungary threatened to bus migrants to Brussels, the Belgian government responded in outrage. Germany’s new internal border checks spurred tensions with Austria, Poland, and Greece.
Governments across Europe are reacting in panic to fears around migration constructed and fuelled by the far-right. Not only centre-right forces, but increasingly centre left forces are embracing far right narratives and policies on migration. This is a dangerous move that will only normalise the anti-migrant agenda, and further reinforce far right claims.
DETENTION AND DEPORTATIONS
Netherlands: government to escalate detention and deportations
The new right-wing Dutch government programme vows to increase the capacity of immigration detention centres and speed up deportations of undocumented people. The programme also refers to the Italy-Albania deal as a blueprint for cooperation on migration with third countries and pledges restrictions to asylum and to labour migration, especially for low-paying jobs. Despite considering the implementation of the EU Migration Pact “essential”, the Dutch government officially requested an opt-out of the EU migration and asylum rules in mid-September.
The Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration also cut funding for basic reception locations for undocumented people as of 1 January 2025. Civil society organisations have already denounced the risk that many will end up in the street.
Sweden to increase incentives for migrants to leave
The Swedish government announced that they would be prepared to pay migrants up to around 30,000 euros if they agreed to return to their country of origin from 2026. The measure goes against the advice of a government-appointed inquiry, which concluded that promoting repatriation would hinder migrants’ integration into Swedish society. Swedish human rights organisation Civil Rights Defenders also criticised the measure for sending the message that certain people are not welcome in Swedish society.
HEALTH
Finland: civil society denounce plans to restrict health care for undocumented people
The Finnish government drafted legislation that would bar undocumented people from accessing necessary health care, with few exceptions. Should this become law, conditions like diabetes or asthma could be left untreated, with serious risks for the person and higher chances that they will end up in emergency care in the future. The proposal was supposed to be presented to the Finnish parliament next week, but has now being delayed until start of 2025.
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WORK
Germany signs deals to bring in workers from Kenya, Uzbekistan
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed new labour migration agreements with Kenya and Uzbekistan to bring in “skilled workers”, including IT workers, to work in shortage occupations in Germany. Both deals also cover cooperation in facilitating deportations of Kenyan and Uzbeki nationals. More information about the terms, types of permits and associated rights for workers are not yet available.
Spain strikes new labour migration deals in West Africa
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez toured West Africa to strike new labour migration deals with Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal. Sanchez announced “circular migration programmes” which would offer temporary job opportunities in Spain for selected workers from the three West African countries. These permits would be valid for up to four years, and for a maximum of nine months a year. At the same time, Sanchez also strengthened cooperation between security forces and emphasised the importance of deportations against people involved in smuggling.
PUBLICATIONS
Amnesty France, Reporting sexual violence as migrant, trans and sex worker women
Human Rights Watch, Pushbacks and Pullbacks of Syrian Refugees from Cyprus and Lebanon
Ministry for Migration and Asylum (Germany), Effects of “tolerated status” on living conditions and life satisfaction
PICUM, Exclusion by design: Unveiling unequal treatment and racial inequalities in migration policies
SSM - Population Health, Labor market outcomes and mental health in undocumented migration
University of Geneva, The effect of regularization on undocumented workers (Geneva)
BOOKMARKS
EU Observer reports on appalling working conditions for migrants working in the EU fishing sector.
Migrant Rights’ Network denounces the racism in the migration policies of the UK Labour government.
International Affairs - Humanitarian- Refugees- Emergencies. Results-driven professional with demonstrated success and experience in international relations and humanitarian relief programming.
2moAlso in Spain, last week official surveys stated that the main concern of Spanish people was migrants. Although when they asked how it affected their lives, migration was down to the 5th position. All this shows how politicians are using too much the subject migration to hide real problems. And please let’s not forget the situation of refugees and migrants in Tunis.