Migration-related Xenophobia
INTRODUCING TOPIC
The civil war in Syria has brought out one of the worst humanitarian crisis the world
may have ever seen. All families inside Syria are struggling to survive and need urgent
aid by stable countries – it has been estimated that it will take approximately $8.4
billion to meet the urgent needs of the Syrians. As the families in Syria have been
forced to fleet out of their country, they are facing a whole set of new challenges in
the countries they have chosen to migrate it. These include, a need for shelter,
financial difficulties, disrupted education, distance from relatives and xenophobic
violence.
This global problem of xenophobic violence will only escalate if not urgently dealt
with. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has stressed, “Refugees
who flee intolerance at home are increasingly finding more intolerance in the
countries where they seek protection.” The community in the developed countries
find it easy to blame “foreigners” for political, economic and social problems hence,
making them easy targets. The amount of xenophobic violence may vary from
country to country depending the country’s own religious beliefs, and economic
status. This xenophobic violence has forced immigrants into social exclusion from
fear of being attacked.
KEY TERMS
Xenophobia = Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Prejudice = Dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior deriving from preconceived or
unfounded opinions.
Discrimination = The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people,
especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
Racism = Prejudice or discrimination against someone of a different race based on
the belief that one’s own race is superior
Violence = Behavior involving physical forced intended to hurt, damage, or kill
someone
Mass migration = Migration of large groups of people from one geographical area to
another. In this case the situation in Syria.
All taken from Oxford dictionary
COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE
UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
The aim of this agency is to provide aid and protect refugees worldwide. It also
provides governments with way to deal with the refugees in their countries. This
organization has set out various projects to address xenophobic violence in areas
where it is in need. It has engaged its efforts to combat xenophobia in order to
internationally protect all refugees, this has mainly been achieved by assisting
governments are trying to find long term and short term solutions for them
International Organisation for Migration
This organization was established in 1951. It’s the leading organization for migration.
It declares that “the organization is dedicated to the principle of humane and orderly
migrations” it works closely with governments and other non‐governmental
organizations in order to ensure its aims, it also provides humanitarian assistance to
all those in need. It is key for all governments to work closely with this organization in
order to help deal with and prevent xenophobic violence.
Greece
Greece’s location in the Mediterranean has made itself central for the migrants to
move to Europe. Although Greece has classified itself as highly hospitable and has seen over 250 000 people arrive on its shores, particularly the island of Lesbos, this
year. However, even back in 2009, there has been a notable rise of xenophobic
attacks through the past years, it has also been said “People coming from war zones
are scared to go out at night in Athens for fear of being attacked” by Judith
Sunderland, a researcher at the Human Rights Watch, between August 2009 and May
2007 alone there were 51 serious attacks against migrants. Despite this being a
major issue there has been little done to stop it. As a result of this since 1012 Greek
authorities adopted a new anti racism law and the creation of special counter‐racism
police units. In the more recent events, Syrians are given permission to stay in Greece
for six months in order to give them enough time to apply to Germany’s refugee
status, it is also said that Greek officials have prioritized Syrians over the people from
Iraq and Afghanistan this has created some ethnic tension between the groups and
has consequently resulted in the migrants pretending to be Syrians for the better
treatment – enhancing security flaws within Greece. Greek islands can be said to be
the most hospitable to the refugees, local organizations, individuals and shop owners
have all done different measures to ensure all refugees are provided with food, a
sufficient water supply, shelter and blankets. It has also been spotted that shop
owners are writing signs in Arabic saying that all refugees are welcome in their shop.
Contrasting with Greece’s past there has been very little xenophobic violence in
Greece. However, Greece’s debt crisis has brought about debates about the issue of
accepting such large amounts of refugees. It has been said from the government that
“it cannot handle the pressure from thousands of refugees” the fear of this may
eventually lead to xenophobic. Overall, Greece should be looked as an example
about good hospitality and its limited xenophobia.
Hungary
Hungary is an EU country and has been noted to done the least in helping the
refugees. In June of 2015 the Hungarian government constructed a four metre tall
fence in order to seal its southern border with Serbia. This was because the
government felt as though they couldn’t handle the influx of the refugees; the EU
and NGOs warned Hungary to find other ways. The migrants would then go around
Hungary through Serbia however, on September the Hungarian police decided to
block the route from Serbia with heavily armed soldiers and helicopters, leaving the
refugees helpless. They were in such a desperate state to cross the borders the
refugees ending up breaking down the fence twice in one day, the governments
respond to this was with tear gas and water cannons – a brutal way to treat unarmed
refugees who just escaped a warzone area. By September 2016, Hungary had
detained 519 people and even pressed criminal charges against 46 for trespassing.
Soon afterwards, Hungary started building another fence with its border on Croatia
making the refugees to take a harder and longer route through Slovenia instead.
Germany
Germany has voluntarily accepted between 800,000 – 1 million refugees. This is
highest numbers of refugees accepted in the European Union. Germany had
promised to “provide them [the refugees] with housing, schooling for their children,
and an abundance of jobs.” For the refugees who are accepted, they are given a 3
year permit to stay in Germany, after those years if the situation in their country has
improved they will be able to apply for a permanent residential permit. The German
teachers are now providing German courses in order to allow the refugees to not be
so isolated in their society. They are also planning to add more teachers to the
schools who are specialized in teaching children that have had “trauma experiences”
The use of making their public education system more suitable for the refugees has
also been researched it will prevent racism at a young age. This all has made
Germany a favorable destination ever since Lebanon closed its borders. Although a
vast number of Germans are in favour of the refugees there has been a rise in an
“anti‐immigration party”, the refugees are now starting to face discrimination in the
job market as there is the notion of “taking their jobs”, and violent attacks on the
streets as a resentment for them is now particularly starting to grow. There has been
a report that an estimated 222 houses belonging to refugees have now being burnt
down, injuring 104 refugees. Through June to September there was an estimated
average of 3 xenophobic attacks a day towards the refugee facilities.
Egypt
Egypt to the refugees may seem like an ideal place to migrate to. However, recent
reports have stated otherwise. As soon as refugees arrive in Cairo and other parts of
Egypt they experience tremendous living conditions which practically force them into
migration in Europe. It has been noted in various cases that Syrian children are not
able to go to school due to frequent bullying of their foreign accents and families are
scared to leave their poor quality houses in fear of being attacked. The Egyptian
Foundation of Refugee Rights is a non‐governmental organization that is trying to
ensure that the Syrian feel as welcomed as possible. They believe main reason for
the Syrians fear in Egypt is that local citizens do not understand the need for them to
migrate to other countries resulting in xenophobic attacks. However, the Egyptian
government is desperately trying to change those negative attitudes.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION
1945 - The Second World War led to 60 million
Europeans being forced to migrate out of
their countries. This was the first ever
refugee crisis to take place. The UN
adopted UNHCR.
1976 - Race RelaƟon Act in the UK provided an
aim to work towards abolishing
discrimination, promote equal
opportunity and proper relaƟons
between minority groups.
1997 - The European Monitoring Centre on
Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) was
established by the EU. It stated to record
the growing amount of racial
discrimination and violence towards
immigrants and to research on the most
effective ways to eliminate xenophobia
2009 - UNHCR make Guidance notes ‐
“Combating Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related
Intolerance through a Strategic
Approach.” This outlines for UNHCR
offices around the world as well as for
governmental authorities to tackle
racism, xenophobia, and hate.
2011 - UNHCR points out that there is “a
noticeable rise in xenophobia and other
forms of discrimination against asylum
seekers and refugees”
2015 - The migration crisis began when the
sudden rising number of refugees started
making their way to Europe.
2015 - The constant uprising of xenophobic
attacks in many stable countries bought
about a higher and urgent need to tackle
the issue.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Although this issue may be hard to tackle in the short term there certainly are many
actions each nation should cohere to in order to unite and solve this issue:
Firstly, a legislation should be adopted making it illegal to attack, act racist or
discriminate any migrants. Then to adopt of strength already existing rules of
law that recognize and protect the rights of migrants.
Another way is to get experts in the subject to provide advice in ways to deal
with racism, discrimination and xenophobia. All nations should also focus on
the conduction of regular training of staff to document and respond to any
xenophobic violence.
Developing a mechanism that would monitor and record public incidents of
xenophobic violence may also be helpful as it will encourage improved
reporting by states and can give more accuracy in tackling the issue where
seriously in need.
The attitude towards migrants can also be solved especially through
educational programs as racism can rise from a young age, schools should
train all teachers to avoid any form of discrimination and be more diverse in
their teaching and hence increase awareness of different ethnic cultures;
schools should teach young children to be more open minded against all
other races.
Public campaigns and the media may also be helpful in promoting this issue
and limiting all stereotypes.
There should also be a strong collaboration between governmental and non‐
governmental organizations as well as international cooperation should be
encouraged.
Finally, it is also important that all refugee victims of such violence all feel
protected by providing medical services to them and encouraging them to
report all hate crimes as it may prevent states from adopting efficient policies,
this may be achieved by the creation of a national point of contact.
Already adopted UN resolutions:
1) World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance
Adoption: 31 August until 8 September 2011
2) Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination,
