Meaghan Lanctot

Mr. Gilden

3 August 2016

International Relations

Failure and Disappointment: How European Countries Have Ignored the Refugee Crisis

The Syrian Refugee Crisis has been a persisting humanitarian issue for the past five years

due to the inaction and negligence of the global community. However, no region of the world has

deliberately ignored and delayed addressing the issue than Europe. From the exclusion of asylum

seekers to the rise of xenophobic hate groups, the countries of Europe have systematically failed

to protect refugees seeking basic necessities. To the Federation of Brazil, no two countries have

shown more hypocrisy and insecurity than the United Kingdom and Greece.

Both the United Kingdom and Greece have violated one of the most sacred principles of

the United Nations Convention Related to the Status of Refugees (1951): the right of non-

refoulement. This principle demands all countries that take in refugees cannot forcibly return

them to areas that are deemed unsafe, i.e. areas with war zones, politically unstable governments,

ethnic cleansings, etc. (the 1951 Refugee Convention, Article 33). The parliament refused to take

in 3000 unaccompanied Syrian refugee children, as, according to Conservative MP Sir Edward

Leigh, it was better to help children in danger in Syria rather than those who have made it to

Europe. (Government Avoids Defeat 3). There has also been vocal opposition from both

former Prime Minister David Cameron and current Prime Minister Theresa May about not letting

in any more Middle Eastern refugee into the country. The two prime ministers have also refused

to participate in any Europe-wide resettlement program for asylum-seekers, therefore forcing

refugees to rely on smugglers to make their way to Europe (Wintour 1).

 As well as the United Kingdom, Greece has failed to abide by this principle and has

forcibly sent refugees back to a country it deems dangerous. In March 2016, Greece made a deal

with the EU and Turkey that promised the deportation of all future refugees from Greece to

Turkey. However, a Greek immigration tribunal has ruled Turkey as an unsafe country to force

refugees to stay in, although the Greek government continues to deport refugees back to Turkey

(Stone 2). Greece has also closed its borders to Afghani refugees, citing them as economic

migrants in order to stem the tide of refugees. This completely breaks the United Nations

Convention Related to the Status of Refugees and puts Syrian refugees at the mercy of the Greek

government should they choose to close their borders to them as well (Alderman and Bounias 3).

The United Kingdom and Greece are also in direct violation of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights (1948) in their treatment of Syrian refugees and civilians. The document,

which both countries voted in favor for, strives to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights,

and dignity and worth of the human person and commit to universal respect for, and

observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,

language or religion (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). However, the United Kingdom

has violated these hallowed words through unethical airstrikes that have killed an unknown

number of Syrian civilians, as the British government has been unwilling to release exact

casualty numbers (Young 3).

Greece also holds numerous infringements in regards to the safety and well being of

Syrian refugees outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Greeces largest refugee

camp recently closed due to overcrowding as 12,000 refugees were forced to live in

accommodations meant for 2500 people (Worley and Deaden 2). The Greek government have

been completely unprepared to deal with the immense amount of refugees as they have crowded
into camps unfit for inhabitation. Unsanitary food, a lack of medical treatment and equipment,

and rampant diseases are staples of living in a Greek refugee camp. A report from Amnesty

International describes the conditions at makeshift camps as (falling) significantly below

international and national standards and may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment,

completely unacceptable to the standards set by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(Westcott 2).

Many people in the United Kingdom and Greece have had little respect (a mandate of the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights) for the Syrian refugees that enter their country. Far-

right groups in England like the English Defense League, Britain First and Pediga have used

social media to assemble protests against the resettlement of Syrian refugees. Language like

English blood has sparked xenophobic and racist verbal attacks against Syrian refugees already

living in the United Kingdom (Cohen 1). Members of these right-wing groups have been known

to destroy property, desiccate vehicles with swastikas and attack anti-fascist protestors with

metal poles, sticks and bottles. The British government has not formerly condemned these

attacks nor have they taken steps to prevent this violent rhetoric from occurring, thereby

disrespecting the rights of Syrian refugees and putting them directly in danger of violent fascist

groups (Gayle 2).

Right-wing groups have also arisen in Greece, as the Golden Dawn party has gained

considerable ground in the Greek parliament. The party has a staunch anti-immigration stance

and has repeatedly played on the irrational fears of Greeks through the spread of misinformation.

Members of the Golden Dawn party have also been accused of murder, armed attacks, money

laundering and trafficking. This past election, the party received 7% of the election vote (which

equates to more than five hundred thousand Greeks voting for the group). Continued support for
this group may lead to the total closing of borders in Greece, resulting in many refugees

becoming stranded in the country with no way to reach their final destination (Smith 1).

The countries of Greece and the United Kingdom have adamantly broken international

laws regarding the treatment of refugees within their borders as well as in Syria itself. The lack

of awareness regarding their mistreatment of refugees has allowed the governments of both

countries to continue denying the dignity and respect that every refugee deserves. In all, the

Federation of Brazil believes that the governments of the United Kingdom and Greece have done

a deplorable job of providing basic courtesy to the Syrian refugees.

Word Count: 995

 Works Cited

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2016.

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