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Refugee crisis: less recrimination and more concerted action needed Refugee crisis: less recrimination and more concerted action needed
(35 minutes later)
We have all been taught that one picture can be worth a thousand words. So the poignant photograph of a Turkish policeman carrying the tiny body of a drowned Syrian refugee up a beach has made a huge media impact in the past few hours, including the front pages of British newspapers better known for migrant bashing. We have all been taught that one picture can be worth a thousand words. So the poignant photograph of a Turkish policeman carrying the tiny body of a drowned Syrian refugee up a beach has made a huge media impact in the past few hours, including the front pages of British newspapers better known for migrant bashing those.
But will this tragedy in miniature off Bodrum actually do any good beyond making readers and viewers uncomfortable for a few minutes? Is it just a sentimental twitch by tabloids which will be back to “We Can’t Cope with This Tide” headlines by the end of this week. Or, in the case of Thursday’s Daily Mail, on the next page? But will this tragedy in miniature off Bodrum actually do any good beyond making readers and viewers uncomfortable for a few minutes? Is it just a sentimental twitch by tabloids which will be back to “We Can’t Cope with This Tide” headlines by the end of this week? Or, in the case of Thursday’s Daily Mail, on the next page?
Softhearted or publicity minded Tory MPs urge underwhelming David Cameron to do more. Mainstream Labour leadership candidates, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper, have risked joining the debate with specific ideas of their own. Frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn is sentimentally pro immigration in general as well as in particular. Softhearted or publicity minded Tory MPs urge underwhelming David Cameron to do more. Mainstream Labour leadership candidates Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper have risked joining the debate with specific ideas of their own. Frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn is sentimentally pro-immigration in general as well as in particular.
Everyone seems agreed that the EU has handled the crisis pretty feebly so far. Unlike the Greek Eurozone drama, which united most of the zone’s member states against the Syriza regime’s plucky chutzpah, this crisis divides country from country, weakens coalitions and undermines social solidarity. Everyone seems agreed that the EU has handled the crisis pretty feebly so far. Unlike the Greek eurozone drama, which united most of the zone’s member states against the Syriza regime’s plucky chutzpah, this crisis divides country from country, weakens coalitions and undermines social solidarity.
It isn’t easy – even the language we use – and Britain, in its current mood of snooty isolationism, shouldn’t throw stones, even if our neighbours and their tabloids (Germany’s Bild for example) are throwing them at us for not pulling our weight.It isn’t easy – even the language we use – and Britain, in its current mood of snooty isolationism, shouldn’t throw stones, even if our neighbours and their tabloids (Germany’s Bild for example) are throwing them at us for not pulling our weight.
The one EU leader who has emerged with credit so far is, as usual, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, that cautious uncharismatic leader with a complicated personal backstory that seems to have won her the trust of her people.The one EU leader who has emerged with credit so far is, as usual, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, that cautious uncharismatic leader with a complicated personal backstory that seems to have won her the trust of her people.
So Merkel has cautiously moved to speak out in favour of generosity towards refugees (as asylum seekers become when someone in authority says so) and against intolerance and worse. That may not last if German public opinion decides that this year’s 800,000 expected new refugees is too much even for them.So Merkel has cautiously moved to speak out in favour of generosity towards refugees (as asylum seekers become when someone in authority says so) and against intolerance and worse. That may not last if German public opinion decides that this year’s 800,000 expected new refugees is too much even for them.
German officials who know Merkel well say that she makes her case to the electorate, as the physicist that she is by training did in favour of civil nuclear power during Germany’s long phasing out debate. But, if she fails to shift public opinion after two or three years the consensus politician in her falls into line, I was reminded only the other day. German officials who know Merkel well say that she makes her case to the electorate, as she did in favour of civil nuclear power during Germany’s long phasing out debate. But, if she fails to shift public opinion after two or three years the consensus politician in her falls into line, I was reminded only the other day.
That’s what happened when Merkel’s government finally-but-suddenly committed to close all 17 such power stations by 2022 after the Fukushima tsunami disaster in Japan (2011). It could happen with migration too.That’s what happened when Merkel’s government finally-but-suddenly committed to close all 17 such power stations by 2022 after the Fukushima tsunami disaster in Japan (2011). It could happen with migration too.
Remember, as the Guardian excellent report on Britain’s record vs Germany’s notes, the paradox of German generosity is that it has also recorded 336 assaults on refugee shelters (the Germans are typically well organised on these things) this year alone, 100 more than in the whole of 2014. Angry fears and nasty feelings are stirring there too, especially in the former east. Remember, as the Guardian excellent report on Britain’s record v Germany’s notes, the paradox of German generosity is that it has also recorded 336 assaults on refugee shelters (the Germans are typically well organised on these things) this year alone, 100 more than in the whole of 2014. Angry fears and nasty feelings are stirring there too, especially in the former east.
And perhaps that’s the most sensible lesson to draw from the comparisons game. Let’s not waste too much valuable time on it when the EU’s southern shores are buckling under a rising tide of human misery from the war torn south. And perhaps that’s the most sensible lesson to draw from the comparisons game. Let’s not waste too much valuable time on it when the EU’s southern shores are buckling under a rising tide of human misery from the war-torn south.
Alan Travis sets out Britain’s recent record on asylum, by no means discreditable, here while John Harris takes a longer view here, fingering Michael Heseltine for a crucial lapse into the demagogue market with a 2001 attack on “bogus” claimants.Alan Travis sets out Britain’s recent record on asylum, by no means discreditable, here while John Harris takes a longer view here, fingering Michael Heseltine for a crucial lapse into the demagogue market with a 2001 attack on “bogus” claimants.
There are bogus asylum claimants, it’s not hard to see why desperate people might lie about their circumstances, and liberals should not be naive about it. But next time we feel alarmed perhaps we should remember the little boy drowned off Bodrum. It’s not hard to see why desperate people might lie about their circumstances, and liberals should not be naive about it. But next time we feel alarmed perhaps we should remember the little boy drowned off Bodrum.
In fairness to the Tories, Harris makes reference to the 28,000 Ugandan Asian refugees, mostly Indians from Gujarat, taken in by Britain in 1972 after they were expelled by Idi Amin. Heseltine’s then boss, Ted Heath, was prime minister at the time and did better than the Labour government did, spooked by Enoch Powell (whom Heath sacked) when a similar expulsion hit Kenya’s Asian shopkeeper class.In fairness to the Tories, Harris makes reference to the 28,000 Ugandan Asian refugees, mostly Indians from Gujarat, taken in by Britain in 1972 after they were expelled by Idi Amin. Heseltine’s then boss, Ted Heath, was prime minister at the time and did better than the Labour government did, spooked by Enoch Powell (whom Heath sacked) when a similar expulsion hit Kenya’s Asian shopkeeper class.
So there are no monopolies of virtue, either in Britain or among its neighbours.So there are no monopolies of virtue, either in Britain or among its neighbours.
Each country’s case is different. After disputing Germany’s own data here Thursday’s Mail points out that Britain’s historic record is a good one, going back to the French Huguenots expelled in 1685 by Louis XIV, refugees from Tzarist Russian pogroms and, of course, from Hitler’s Germany. Berlin’s current liberalism towards refugees is partial atonement, as it is for the shabby Gastarbeiter system of Yugoslav and Turkish “guest workers” before reform in 2004.Each country’s case is different. After disputing Germany’s own data here Thursday’s Mail points out that Britain’s historic record is a good one, going back to the French Huguenots expelled in 1685 by Louis XIV, refugees from Tzarist Russian pogroms and, of course, from Hitler’s Germany. Berlin’s current liberalism towards refugees is partial atonement, as it is for the shabby Gastarbeiter system of Yugoslav and Turkish “guest workers” before reform in 2004.
And, of course, Britain took in a lot of Jews then too, including Freud and many other men and women of great talent, though not as many as it should or could have done, but for prejudice here. I wonder how the Mail stood on that one? The parents of the 10,000 famous Kindertransport (privately organised and funded with government consent) children transported to the UK in the months before the start of the second world war had to be left behind to their fate.And, of course, Britain took in a lot of Jews then too, including Freud and many other men and women of great talent, though not as many as it should or could have done, but for prejudice here. I wonder how the Mail stood on that one? The parents of the 10,000 famous Kindertransport (privately organised and funded with government consent) children transported to the UK in the months before the start of the second world war had to be left behind to their fate.
In 2015 it’s not simply a matter of civic virtue. History, economic circumstances and other context matters too, not least demographics. As we were all reminded only this week Britain’s booming population is set to overtake declining Germany’s on current trends.In 2015 it’s not simply a matter of civic virtue. History, economic circumstances and other context matters too, not least demographics. As we were all reminded only this week Britain’s booming population is set to overtake declining Germany’s on current trends.
It is an extraordinary reversal which helps explain its openness to newcomers. Nicola Sturgeon’s willingness to welcome refugees and migrants (unlike those horrid English) reflects a similar demographic calculation: Scotland battles to reverse population decline. Sweden, which has taken more refugees per head of population ( 13% of asylum seekers with just 2% of EU population) is also a very large, empty country. It is an extraordinary reversal, which helps explain its openness to newcomers. Nicola Sturgeon’s willingness to welcome refugees and migrants (unlike those horrid English) reflects a similar demographic calculation; Scotland battles to reverse population decline. Sweden, which has taken more refugees per head of population (13% of asylum seekers with just 2% of EU population) is also a very large, empty country.
It all helps. By the same token Muslims arriving in large numbers, for whatever reason, is part of the historic fabric of Spain and Portgual – occupied for centuries by Islamic powers from 711 to 1492 – and the Balkans, large swaths of which were ruled by the Ottoman Empire until the 19th century. The second and last Turkish siege of Vienna was in 1683.It all helps. By the same token Muslims arriving in large numbers, for whatever reason, is part of the historic fabric of Spain and Portgual – occupied for centuries by Islamic powers from 711 to 1492 – and the Balkans, large swaths of which were ruled by the Ottoman Empire until the 19th century. The second and last Turkish siege of Vienna was in 1683.
People don’t forget these things any more than we forget the Spanish Armada. Anglo-French colonial legacies are widely blamed for the Middle East’s problems, sometimes rightly so, but colonial legacies cut both ways. And while we’re on the subject Poles and Hungarians don’t have much modern experience of globalised multi-culturalism. We might show a bit more understanding of their fears. Imagine Paddington or Manchester Piccadilly having to cope with commuters AND refugees.People don’t forget these things any more than we forget the Spanish Armada. Anglo-French colonial legacies are widely blamed for the Middle East’s problems, sometimes rightly so, but colonial legacies cut both ways. And while we’re on the subject Poles and Hungarians don’t have much modern experience of globalised multi-culturalism. We might show a bit more understanding of their fears. Imagine Paddington or Manchester Piccadilly having to cope with commuters AND refugees.
Britain’s own ungenerous mood in 2015 reflects decades of immigration for a host of reasons, refugees, post-imperial angst, labour shortages, a relatively open economy and benefits system, plus the English language and, very probably an urgent desire in the bombed out villages of Syria to annoy the Daily Mail.Britain’s own ungenerous mood in 2015 reflects decades of immigration for a host of reasons, refugees, post-imperial angst, labour shortages, a relatively open economy and benefits system, plus the English language and, very probably an urgent desire in the bombed out villages of Syria to annoy the Daily Mail.
But it is also partly explained by the unexpected scale of Polish (and other east European) economic migration to Britain after it EU accession in 2004. The UK was one of only three member states not to impose transitional arrangements. Tony Blair’s government was told to expect 13,000 a year before it was realised that France and Germany would not follow suit. The Anglo-Polish story is told here by the BBC. You can see why the Germans get shirty when we protest that our society can’t cope: it’s your own fault!But it is also partly explained by the unexpected scale of Polish (and other east European) economic migration to Britain after it EU accession in 2004. The UK was one of only three member states not to impose transitional arrangements. Tony Blair’s government was told to expect 13,000 a year before it was realised that France and Germany would not follow suit. The Anglo-Polish story is told here by the BBC. You can see why the Germans get shirty when we protest that our society can’t cope: it’s your own fault!
So less recrimination, more concerted EU action please. We should have done more sooner to help Syria’s neighbours, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey cope with their four million refugees (it makes spats in Calais look a bit parochial) and give them reasons and hope to stay close to home. We still can do more. So less recrimination, more concerted EU action please. We should have done more sooner to help Syria’s neighbours, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, cope with their four million refugees (it makes spats in Calais look a bit parochial) and give them reasons and hope to stay close to home. We still can do more.
Brussels and Berlin’s talk of imposing EU-wide quotas for all member states was clunky, but something will have to be agreed in the rolling programme of ministerial meetings now under way: a formula for burden-sharing which makes the Dublin rules on asylum work more fairly and effectively would help.Brussels and Berlin’s talk of imposing EU-wide quotas for all member states was clunky, but something will have to be agreed in the rolling programme of ministerial meetings now under way: a formula for burden-sharing which makes the Dublin rules on asylum work more fairly and effectively would help.
But we can’t expect frontline Greece ( it has other problems) or Italy (ditto) to go on carrying so much of the can, nor Germany to be the destination of choice for most. We can learn from each other about the best models of processing and resettlement, involving voluntary and private bodies as much as the state. But we can’t expect frontline Greece (it has other problems) or Italy (ditto) to go on carrying so much of the can, nor Germany to be the destination of choice for most. We can learn from each other about the best models of processing and resettlement, involving voluntary and private bodies as much as the state.
Personally I always though the Schengen Agreement which now provides for passport–free movement across borders for 400 million EU citizens through 26 EU member states a bit naively idealistic: when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge. Personally I always though the Schengen agreement which now provides for passport–free movement across borders for 400 million EU citizens through 26 EU member states a bit naively idealistic: when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge.
Schengen will probably have to be suspended, as is starting to happen on an ad hoc basis, and rethought. More international cooperation and coordination, not less, is needed. No point in looking to Ukip’s Nigel Farage for advice, he backed off vaguely liberal remarks about genuine asylum seekers as soon as the going got tough.Schengen will probably have to be suspended, as is starting to happen on an ad hoc basis, and rethought. More international cooperation and coordination, not less, is needed. No point in looking to Ukip’s Nigel Farage for advice, he backed off vaguely liberal remarks about genuine asylum seekers as soon as the going got tough.
But no need to despair at Europe’s collective failure yet. Like the man said: “You never let a serious crisis go to waste.”But no need to despair at Europe’s collective failure yet. Like the man said: “You never let a serious crisis go to waste.”