MIGRATION POLICIES IN THE MENA AND EU: Situational Overview and Hope Steps

?? Drivers of Migration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Since the early 2010s, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has undergone immense change. The Arab Spring uprisings, which started in Tunisia in 2010, quickly spread to other countries, leading to regime change or instability in Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen. In addition, the MENA region has been plagued by political instability and conflict for many years, and this has been a major driver of forced displacement. In Syria, for example, the conflict has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and economy, driving many people to seek refuge elsewhere. In addition to the Syrian conflict, other factors contributing to the migrant crisis in the region include the Iraq war, the Arab Spring uprisings - as mentioned, and the conflicts in Yemen and Libya. These events have created many refugees and internally and externally displaced persons, who are often forced to flee their homes for safety. The largest group of migrants from the region are Syrians, who make up about a quarter of all refugees from the MENA, where the majority of Syrians have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Other significant groups include Afghans, Iraqis, and Iranians. Moreover, the region is also affected by a lack of economic opportunity, poverty, human rights abuses, and environmental problems.[1]

These issues and changes created large numbers of refugees and political and economic migrants, where many European countries witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Europe from the MENA region, or at least many people from the region have chosen to migrate to Europe in search of a better life. We can say, mainly Europe is the primary destination for migrants from the MENA because many of these countries are located relatively close to Europe and because there are already large communities of diaspora populations in Europe.[2]

In response to these movements, various countries in the region have adopted new migration policies.

?? Overview of the Migration Policies in the MENA[3]

Generally, the region's policies can be divided into two broad categories: those that aim to restrict migration and those that seek to facilitate it. The first countries include Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya. These countries have enacted various measures to restrict the flow of migrants, such as building walls and fences, imposing visa requirements, and increasing surveillance and patrols.

The second group of countries includes Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon. These countries have taken a more liberal approach to migration and have enacted policies designed to facilitate the movement of people. For example, Turkey has provided Syrian refugees with financial assistance and legal support, and Lebanon has implemented a work visa program for Syrians.

The different approaches to migration in the region reflect the varied political and economic interests of the countries involved. While some countries see migration as a security threat, others see it as an opportunity to address labor shortages or to attract investment.

The policies of the different countries in the region are also shaped by their relationships with the European Union. Some countries, such as Tunisia and Morocco, have signed agreements with the EU that allow for the free movement of people between the two regions. Others, such as Turkey and Lebanon, are not a party to such agreements but have large numbers of refugees from the conflict in Syria.

The MENA's migration policies will likely continue to come under scrutiny in the coming years. With the ongoing conflict in Syria and the recent refugee crisis in Europe, the need for safe and legal routes for migrants is more pressing than ever.

Overall, the migration policies of the MENA region are complex and constantly evolving. The future of the policies will be determined by the political and economic developments in the region, as well as the changing relationships between the countries involved.

?? Overview of the Migration Policies in Europe

The European Union (EU) has responded to the increase in arrivals from the MENA region by adopting a series of policies aimed at deterring and preventing irregular migration. These policies include the construction of physical barriers (e.g., the fence along the border between Greece and Turkey), introducing visa requirements for nationals of certain MENA countries, and concluding agreements with MENA countries that allow for the return of irregular migrants.[4]

?The impact of these policies has been mixed. In some cases, they have succeeded in deterring and preventing irregular migration. However, in other cases, they have been criticized for causing unnecessary suffering and making it more difficult for legitimate asylum seekers and refugees to reach safety in Europe.[5]

?Furthermore, in recent years, European countries have been outsourcing their border controls to countries like Turkey and Libya. This has led to human rights abuses, as the same legal protections do not bind these countries as European countries.[6]

?The policies of European countries towards migrants from the Middle East and North Africa have generally been restrictive. Many countries have tightened their borders and introduced more burdensome visa requirements to stem the flow of migrants.[7]

?? Steps Forward

In order to solve the problem of irregular migration from the MENA region, it is necessary to address the root causes of forced displacement. This will require European countries to work closely with MENA countries to promote stability, respect for human rights, and economic development. In addition, the EU must ensure that its own policies do not make it more difficult for legitimate asylum seekers and refugees to reach safety in Europe.

?The European Union (EU) should avoid formulating unilateral migration policies and instead promote partnerships with countries of origin and transit. In defining the level of beneficial migration, the EU should consider the need for and the consequences of migration in both the country of origin and the destination country, most notably regarding the decline in the number of people of working age in the EU and the need for developing countries to retain their highly skilled professionals. To this end, the EU should support continuing research on the various dimensions of migration.

?EU migration policy should not focus exclusively on security issues and border control. Instead, the EU should help third countries to manage refugee flows and broaden their asylum policy.

?The EU should support third countries to develop legal frameworks and institutional capacities to deal with all forms of migration, especially those concerning asylum and migration legislation, and to train policymakers.

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[1]?Grinin, Leonid, and Andrey Korotayev. 2022. “The Arab Spring: Causes, Conditions, and Driving Forces.” Handbook of Revolutions in the 21st Century: pp 595–624?https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-86468-2_23

[2]?Bommes, Michael, Heinz Fassmann and Wiebke Sievers, “eds.” IMISCOE Research.2014. “Migration from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe: Past Developments, Current Status and Future Potentials.” Amsterdam University Press.?https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/33374

[3]?Ouhemmou, Mohammed and Mohamed El Amine Moumine. 2020. “Comparative Analysis of Migration Policies and Social Transformations in the MENA Region.” PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 25: 35-60.?https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1202467

[4]?Morehouse, Christal, and Michael Blomfield. 2011. "Irregular migration in Europe." Migration Policy Institute, Washington, DC 8.?https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/TCMirregularmigration.pdf

[5]?Jaulin, Thibaut. 2010. "The impact of EU migration policy in the southern and eastern Mediterranean." International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Stockholm.?https://rb.gy/wv6yht

[6]?Ibid

[7]?Karamanidou, Lena. 2015. "The securitisation of European migration policies: Perceptions of threat and management of risk." The Securitisation of Migration in the EU: Debates since: 37-61.?https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137480583_3