Refugees or Illegal Imigrants

I just saw a TV broadcast where a Syrian 'immigrant' to the Greek island of Kos, just off the Turkish coast, complained that the facilities to receive them were inadequate. I could not believe my ears when the angry man went on declare that "If this is Europe, then I'm going back to Syria."

Greece may seem wealthier than the country he has just left behind, but by European terms Greece has great problems of its own and is not equipped to cope with the volume of people fleeing distressed countries. But in general Europe as a whole has not estimated the sheer numbers of people attempting entry. One thing is clear though is that the rules prohibit economic refugees, in other words those illegal immigrants simply seeking a more affluent existence. That said if the protester in question can even think about returning, he has a realistic option, then he is by definition an economic refugee, and so should be deported. But the arrogance of him is amazing, no understanding for the country he has just entered, and high expectations.

In another broadcast a man complains that he has crossed ten counties, enduring great hardships, only to be left to rot in a make-shift camp on the outskirts of Calais while being denied entry to the UK. Clearly the message has not gotten through to him that his destination regards him as an illegal immigrant, not a refugee, as the international treaties say that he is supposed to claim assylum in the first country he encounters. Thereafter he will be allocated to a country, and has no right to choose the country of his desire.

The Calais authorities like those in Kos do not have the finances nor facilities to cope with the volume. It is not the fault of the local authorities. The EU as a whole has not been prepared for this swarm over the last two years. But it should have been. There is no reason why Italy, Greece, Malta, nor the town of Calais should have to cope with this without a coordinated plan and resources from the EU.