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Summer 2017
DEFENDERS
17
Refugee Crisis and the EU
Didokht Sadeghi
,International Relations
Lecturer at Azad University
Zahra Mirabian,
Researcher in
International Relations
T
he refugee and migration crisis in the recent years has faced European
countries with unprecedented challenges. According to the latest UNHCR
figures, until the end of 2016, there were approximately 65.6 million people
displaced and refugees, and this figure has already increased by another 300
thousand in the current year.
The main destination of migration is the European Union. According to the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) report, in the current year
alone nearly 77,004 people have migrated to Europe via the Mediterranean
Sea.
The refugee and migration crisis in the EU, has also put human rights under
challenge. According to Human Rights Council Resolution 19/26, taking
care of the migrants’ situation will result in the promotion of human rights.
Unfortunately the rise in extremist nationalist and right wing parties and
public support of this trend, also fear of a change in the social, cultural and
economic fabric of Europe due to contact with the refugee community, have
all resulted in the growth of xenophobia among the people.
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This matter, which itself is a human rights and human challenge, in the event
of permanency might threaten the political life of the EU. Therefore reaching
a joint and practical solution towards humanitarian measures, will raise EU
with a successful test towards the settling of its critical situation.
1 – Statistical Review of the Arrival of Refugees in Europe and Their
Main Destinations
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Table 1