1.Notes for on-screen reading Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean DOSSIER

2. ImpressumHerausgeber Heinrich-Bll-StiftungSchumannstrae 810117 Berlinwww.boell.deDas Online-Dossier wurde verffentlicht auf www.migration-boell.de im Juli 2009.Direktlink: http://www.migration-boell.de/web/migration/46_2173.aspV.i.S.d.P. Olga Drossou, MID-Redaktion, Heinrich-Bll-StiftungDossier-Redakteur: Timon Mrer Picture creditsCover photo: home to go, 2001, Plaster, marble, dust, tiles, rope, dimensions variable p. 4: The Line 2007; Dyptich framed photograph, cm 60 x 74.5 each (framed), p. 34: Centro di permanenza temporanea, 2007, Video still p. 49: Centro di permanenza temporanea, 2007, Video still They appear by courtesy of gallery Francesca Kaufmann, Milan. The art works presented in this dossier are all by Adrian Paci, an Albanian artist born 1969 in Shkoder and now based in Milan. Among other awards, he is has won the Prize of the Quadrennial of Rome 2008. Of growing international renown, his work has been exhibited all across Europe, in Israel, Australia, and the United States. In his work, Adrian Paci frequently makes reference to the experience and fate of migrants, as for example in his prize-winning video Centro di Permanenza Temporanea (2007). The title refers to the Italian name for the temporary camps for migrants arriving daily on the Italian coast. Linguistically, it offers a paradox, a tension between a temporary and permanent existence, a tension Paci maintains in this film, where men and women board a plane to nowhere. They remain trapped between the transitory and the fixed, a state which speaks to the dislocation of migrants across the globe. The dossier including its individual articles is published under a Creative Commons Licence. The work may be copied, distributed and transmitted under the following conditions: Attribution You must name the author and the licensor (Heinrich-Bll-Stiftung) as well as the URL of the work. Noncommercial You may not use this work and its contents for commercial purposes. No Derivative Works You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work or its contents.Any of the above conditions can be waived by permission from the licensor.Please read the full binding legal code at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/de/legalcode (in German). This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 3. Content About the dossier 5I Realities & Responses 6CHARLOTTE WIEDEMANN Mythen der Migration7LOREN LANDAU: Gazing Northward: African Impacts of European Immigration Policy and Practice13SUNNY OMWENYEKE The Fortress Within: Restriction of Movement and Refugee Self-Organisation 18MANUEL FERRER MUOZ The social challenges of immigration in the Canary Islands The special case of Colombians 23JOHANNES KRAUSE Das Sterben an den EU-Auengrenzen Die Normalitt in der Anormalitt 26INTERVIEW MIT YAHI BAYAM DIOUF Eine Ehe ist die einzige Mglichkeit zu bleiben32II Policies & Impacts35DEREK LUTTERBECK From Blame Game to Cooperation Coping with the Migration Crisis in the Central Mediterranean36JEAN-PIERRE CASSARINO Mobility Partnerships: Rationale and Implications for African-European Relations39GABRIELE DEL GRANDE Guantanamo Libya. The New Italian Border Police43MUSTAFA O. ATTIR Libya's Border Management System: Mission Impossible 46III Critical Perspectives50VASSILIS TSIANOS UND AIDA IBRAHIM Dont believe the hype! Bordermanagment, Development und der Boomerang-Effekt51HENK VAN HOUTUM AND ROOS PIJPERS The European Union as a Gated Community: The Two-faced Border and Immigration Regime of the EU 55BERND KASPAREK Frontex. Kritiken, Konzeptionen, Konstruktionen66JULIANE KARAKAYALI UND SERHAT KARAKAYALI Liminal People 70 3 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 4. The Line 2007; Dyptich framed photograph, cm 60 x 74.5 each (framed) courtesy francesca kaufmann, Milan 4 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 5. About the dossier The 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam states that the Euro- by prohibiting them to apply for asylum, by keeping pean Union is to be an area of freedom, security, andthem in camps indefinitely or by lack of access to health justice. Establishing this freedom within the European care. Union confronts the EU with the problem of its external borders and the need to safeguard them. Indeed,The issues related to migration pose manifold chal- Europes emergent border regime with ever stricter visalenges to all affected countries, sending, transit, and policies, tighter border controls, the border agency regions of destination alike. With the Global Approach Frontex and the (partial) externalisation of responsibili- to Migration (GAM), adopted by the EU in December ties to Morocco or Libya have earned the EU the un-2005 at least rhetorically steps have been made to- gainly title Fortress Europe.wards linking migration and development, as for exam-ple in the case of mobility partnerships. This also shows Yet even though the harmonisation of immigration,the stronger bargaining position of a number of African asylum and refugee policies was an explicit aim of the states. Structural imbalances especially Europes Amsterdam Treaty already ten years ago, a coherent agricultural policy- persist, though, and it remains to be and legitimate European approach to migration is still seen if diplomatic progress will also translate in a wanting, not to speak of the appalling state of the pro- deeper respect for the rights of migrants. tection of the migrants human rights. On the contrary, fragmentation and bilateral agreements are proliferat- The articles in this dossier shed critical light on several ing, the recent agreement between Italy and Libyarelated sites of Euro-Mediterranean border manage- being a prominent case in point. ment. They look at the border within as well as theeffects of the exterritorialisation strategy in the Libyan The majority of migrants heading towards Europe useexample. They show both the deadly and the produc- regular routes. But with ever increasing legal restric-tive aspects of the border regime. And they analyse the tions also more and more people try to get into Europe rationale and impacts of such measures as the mobility irregularly. Especially in the Mediterranean, this has partnerships between EU and African states or new created the phenomenon of the boat people, who try toattempts of cooperation in the Central Mediterranean. reach Malta, Lampedusa, and other shores. In the past few years thousands have died trying to reach Europe This dossier takes up and pursues central questions in their makeshift boats. Others find themselves indiscussed at the international conference Fortress or desolate camps in Italy or in the Libyan desert. Count-Area of Freedom? Euro-Mediterranean Border Man- less are the cases in which the basic human rights ofagement which took place in May 2009 in Berlin. migrants and refugees are systematically ignored, be it Olga Drossou Timon Mrer Editor www.migration-boell.deEditor dossier Heinrich-Bll-Stiftung 5 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 6. I Realities & Responses How is it possible that thousands of people drown every Travelling to the hotspots of migration German jour- year in the Mediterranean Sea, while the protection ofnalist Charlotte Wiedemann searches for the real- individual life is a core value in Europes self- ity behind the "Myths of Migration" perception? How do European immigration policies and Gazing northward Loren Landau points out that practises impact on Africa? What are the reasons whymigration within Africa is more important than to- young people from coastal Senegal decide to leave wards Europe but European policies and practises their home? Why is it that so many Colombians are still have an immense impact. migrants to the Canary Islands, what should be done to Sunny Omwenyeke writes on the Fortress Within, help them in their situation? What are the specific politi- the repressive conditions undocumented migrants cal conditions under which refugees and undocumentedand refugees have to live underand struggle migrants have to live in Germany, and what do they do against. to oppose their manifold discrimination? Manuel Ferrer Muoz calls for a better understand- ing of the reasons for migration and the conditions Migration into Europe is a multifaceted issue with ain which migrants live, illustrated by case of the Co- deep impact on European and African societies, as welllombians in the Canary Islands. as cutting across virtually all social fields, from the la- Johannes Krause shows how discursive means bour market to health issues to questions of national orallow governments and EU institutions to portray European identity. Yet equally varied are the responses the death of thousands of migrants as normal. by the people directly affected. In her interview, Yayi Bayam Diouf relates the lack of economic opportunity in her fishing region and her groups activities to keep young men and women from leaving the country. 6 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 7. Charlotte Wiedemann Mythen der Migration"Menschlichkeit ist der wichtigste Eckstein modernen europischen Grenzmanagements."Frontex General Report 2008 Es war Nacht in Mali, eine Januarnacht, als sich dieals Transitlnder gelten. Der malische Pass wird gern Nachricht in Windeseile verbreitete. Zuerst blinkten dievon Schleppern geflscht, doch auch unverflscht sind Displays der Mobiltelefone bei den Aktivisten in Bama-Freizgigkeit und Mobilitt in Afrika das Letzte, was ko, der Hauptstadt am Niger, dann sprang die MeldungEuropa gebrauchen kann. ber in die Diaspora, wanderte als Shortmessage durch die berfllten Wohnheime der afrikanischen Migranten Offener als andere Regierungen zeigt die franzsische in den Vorstdten von Paris. Keine Unterschrift!, lautete bereits im Namen des federfhrenden Ministeriums die die Nachricht; wer sie erhielt, wusste, was gemeint war.europische Marschrichtung an: "Ministerium fr Ein- Malis Regierung wrde sich am nchsten Tag weigern, wanderung, Entwicklungshilfe und nationale Identitt". mit Frankreich eine sogenannte Einwanderungsverein- Die hergebrachte Gleichung des alten Kontinents, "we- barung zu unterzeichnen. Es ist die vierte Weigerung in nig Einwanderung gleich viel nationale Identitt", wird Serie; die franzsische Delegation in Bamako wirft dieseit drei Jahren angereichert durch eine Mathematik unterschriftsreifen Dokumente zurck in ihre Koffer.subtiler Erpressung: Entwicklungshilfe als Lohn fr Wohlverhalten, genauer gesagt: als Judaslohn fr eine Auf dem Gebiet der internationalen Migration, ihrer Kooperation, die weite Teile der Bevlkerungen des Bekmpfung oder vermeintlichen Steuerung ist dieSdens als gegen ihre Interessen gerichtet empfinden. Sicht selten klar; sie wird behindert durch Mythen, Le- genden, falsche Annahmen, und obendrein sagen die Wie ein Symbol fr leere Versprechen steht in Bamakos herrschenden Worte, die Worte des Nordens, selten modernstem Stadtteil ein rosafarbenes Gebude: ein das, was sie meinen. Die Vereinbarung also, die inPilotprojekt der Europischen Union, das erste "Zent- Bamako scheiterte, handelte nicht von Einwanderung, rum fr Information und Migrationsmanagement" 1 auf sondern von ihrer Verhinderung. Sie sollte Ausweisun- afrikanischem Boden. Vllig von der EU finanziert, gen erleichtern und die moralische Verantwortung dafrhandele es sich gleichwohl, so wird versichert, um eine auf die Seite der Malier abschieben. Die eigenen Br- "rein malische Einrichtung", deren Aufgabe indes in ger zurckzunehmen wie irrtmlich versandte Pakete, Brssel definiert wurde: "Die legale Einwanderung nach dagegen hatte Malis Zivilgesellschaft monatelang agi- Europa erleichtern, indem es die illegale Immigration tiert. Zuletzt frchtete Prsident Amadou Toumani eindmmt." Nicht jeder in Afrika ist mit dieser Tour, einst ein Geburtshelfer der Demokratie, denorwellschen Diktion vertraut; fr einen Moment kam vor Gesichtsverlust im eigenen Land und bei den vielender Einweihung im Oktober 2008 das heitere Missver- Maliern im Ausland. In der globalen Migrationspolitik ist stndnis auf, Brssel erffne ein Jobcenter die malische Rochade eine Ausnahme. Es ist nicht in der Sahelzone. blich, den Ansinnen des Nordens die Stirn zu bieten; die afrikanischen Regierungen lavieren eher, reden im Die griffige Formulierung von der Festung Europa ist eigenen Land und im Norden oft mit zweierlei Zunge. ihrerseits zum Mythos erstarrt. Die Metapher hat sich berlebt, sie ist zu harmlos. Europa hat keineswegs Sieben afrikanische Lnder haben sich bereits auf defensiv seine Brcken hochgezogen. Was einst bilaterale Vereinbarungen mit Frankreich eingelassen, Grenzschutz hie, ist heute territorial entgrenzt; das darunter Tunesien, Senegal, Gabun, Benin und diesogenannte integrierte Grenzmanagement findet weit Demokratische Republik Kongo. Auch das strrische im Vorfeld Europas statt. Wie Deutschlands Interessen Mali bleibt als "strategisches Teilstck" auf der Pariser bekanntlich am Hindukusch verteidigt werden, so wer- Agenda, nicht zuletzt wegen des malischen Reisepas- den Europas Grenzen am Niger und Kongo geschtzt. ses: Er erlaubt in der Tradition westafrikanischer Frei- zgigkeit die visumfreie Einreise in zahlreiche Lnder der Region, auch nach Algerien und Mauretanien, die 1 Hhttp://www.cigem.org/ 7 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 8. Migrationspolitik im Interesse des NordensIn Nord- und Westafrika fhrt diese Politik bereits zu Die neue Migrationspolitik ist komplex, sie bietet nebentiefgreifenden Verwerfungen. Sie zielt auf die Abschaf- polizeilich-militrischen Manahmen ein Instrumentari-fung regionaler Reisefreiheit, kriminalisiert jahrhunder- um fr Belohnungen und Bestrafungen: Entwicklungs-tealte Traditionen von Arbeitswanderung und schrt gelder, Entschuldung, Fischereiabkommen, kontingen- Spannungen zwischen Staaten. tierte Aufenthaltsgenehmigungen. Aus dem Versuch der Migrationssteuerung entwickelt sich eine neue Dabei ist Afrika, trotz der dramatischen Bilder und der globale Strukturpolitik, diktiert von den Interessen deshchsten Zahl Verunglckter, keineswegs die wichtigste Nordens. Ein bemerkenswert ambitioniertes Unterfan- Quelle irregulrer Zuwanderung nach in Europa. Dieser gen zu einem Zeitpunkt, da sich gerade eine multipola-Befund der International Organisation of Migration wird re Welt herausbildet. durch jngste Zahlen von Frontex 4 gesttzt. Im vergan- genen Jahr wurden annhernd gleich viele irregulre Nord- und Westafrika sind allmhlich berzogen vonGrenzbertritte an der Seegrenze wie an der Landgren- einem schwer zu berblickenden Geflecht von Abkom-ze der EU entdeckt, und zwar besonders viele an den men. Sie wurden bisher meist bilateral abgeschlossengriechischen Grenzen mit der Trkei und mit Albanien. von Italien, Spanien, Frankreich und eilen einer ge-Und in Spanien, dem europischen Land mit der ver- meinsamen EU-Politik voraus. Dabei geht es lngst mutlich hchsten Quote irregulrer Arbeitskrfte, sind nicht nur um klassische Abschiebung: Die sieht hsslich die meisten Migranten auch nicht aus Afrika gekom- 2 aus und funktioniert oft nicht. Besser ist, es gar nichtmen, sondern mit einem Touristenvisum aus Sdameri- so weit kommen zu lassen. Die europische Grenz-ka. schutzagentur Frontex hat 2008 bei ihren sogenannten Hera-Operationen nach eigenen Angaben 5 969 Mig-Trotzdem hat die irregulre Einwanderung nach Europa ranten, die zu den Kanarischen Inseln unterwegs wa- im ffentlichen Bewusstsein ein schwarzes Gesicht. Auf ren, zurckgescheucht beziehungsweise eskortiert. Den Lampedusafindet derMythosvonder groen Ablauf berichtet Frontex so: Aufgrund von Abkommen, Migrantenflut sein mediales Abbild - den Notstand, den die Spanien mit Senegal und mit Mauretanien ge- die immer weitrumigere Grenzverteidigung wissentlich schlossenhat, seien die Boote der "would-be herbeigefhrt hat. Erst wurde die Gibraltar-Route ver- immigrants" ab einer bestimmten Distanz von der afri- riegelt, dann die berfahrt zu den Kanarischen Inseln kanischen Kste "umgeleitet" worden. Verantwortlich so erschwert, dass die Migranten immer gefhrlichere dafr sei stets ein senegalesischer beziehungsweise Routen in immer kleineren Booten wagten. Nun bleiben mauretanischer Beamter an Bord des Frontex-Schiffsals Nadelhr Italien und Malta. gewesen. 3 Die Zukunft europischer Flchtlingspolitik im Mittel- Klarer gesagt: Afrikanische Brger werden von ihren meerraum ist fern der Kamerapulks zu besichtigen. Der eigenen Staaten an der Ausreise gehindert, nicht nurarabische Norden Afrikas soll uns die Schwarzafrikaner auf See. Algerien hat in sein Strafrecht bereits dasvom Hals halten; Mauretanien, Marokko, Tunesien, Delikt "illegale Ausreise" eingefhrt. In gypten sitzenAlgerien, Libyen werden Europas Cordon sanitaire zahlreiche junge Leute im Gefngnis wegen des Ver-(Sicherheitsgrtel). Eine soziale Hierarchisierung nach suchs "illegaler Ausreise" oder der Anstiftung dazu.einem altbekannten Farbmuster. Immer mehr Staaten werden gedrngt, ein Delikt einzu- fhren, das der Westen einst als Inbegriff des Un-In Mauretanien ist dieses Farbmuster noch sehr ge- rechtsstaats geielte: die "Republikflucht".genwrtig: Die Gesellschaft ist wie keine zweite in Afri- ka von den Traditionen der Sklaverei geprgt; zwischen den hellhutigen Mauren und ihren (ein-heimischen) schwarzen Mitbrgern verluft ein tiefer Graben. Gera- de begann sich das zu ndern, mauretanische Men- 2 "Bisher gibt es keine Hinweise auf einen engen Zusam- schenrechtler haben den Kampf gegen den hausge- menhang zwischen der Zahl unterzeichneter Vereinbarun- gen und der Zahl zurckgeschickter irregulrer Migranten." 4 International Organisation of Migration. Bericht "World Der "Frontex General Report 2008" nennt 175 000 analy- Migration 2008", Hhttp://www.iom.intsierte Grenzbertritte (eine noch nicht end-gltig verifizierte 3 Zahl), davon allein fast 40 000 an der griechisch- Hhttp://www.frontex.europa.eu/newsroom/news_releases/aalbanischen Grenze, wo Albaner routinemig deportiert rt40.html werden, aber rasch zurckkommen.8 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 9. machten Rassismus aufgenommen. Doch nun sind esim Mittelmeer knnen deshalb pauschal gestoppt und die Europer, die von den Mauretaniern verlangen,zum Ansteuern einer Nicht-EU-Kste gezwungen wer- Jagd auf Schwarze zu machen. Wer schwarz ist, istden. Wer in einem wackligen Boot sitzt, ist per Definiti- verdchtig, ein Migrant zu sein. Paradoxerweise ist dieon kein Asylbewerber. Einreise eines Schwarzafrikaners nach Mauretanien jedoch legal, als Gastarbeiter ist er sogar erwnscht. Die meisten derer, die auf Malta ankommen, beantra-gen Asyl. Das sind vor allem Eritreer und Somalier. Das riesige dnn besiedelte Mauretanien haben Afrika-Dennoch werden auf Malta alle Ankmmlinge unter- ner immer schon arbeitssuchend durchwandert. Transit-schiedslos eingesperrt, bis zu 18 Monate. Selbst Trau- land oderZielland, dassindKategorien der matisierte kommen oft erst nach einem halben Jahr aus Migrationsbekmpfer; die Lebenswirklichkeit hlt sichden berfllten Internierungslagern heraus, von denen nicht daran. Im subsaharischen Afrika gelten 17 Millio-eine UN-Komission sagt, die Zustnde gefhrdeten die nen Menschen als Migranten, doch sind die meistengeistige Gesundheit der Insassen. Am Ende der Tortur nicht unterwegs nach Europa. In Westafrika leben 7,5 erweist sich, dass viele Eingesperrte wirklich schutzbe- Millionen Menschen in Lndern, in denen sie nichtdrftig waren: 60 Prozent der Asylsuchenden erhalten 5 geboren sind. Viele Menschen zirkulieren fr einezumindest den UN-Flchtlingsstatus. unbestimmte Dauer in einem bisher frei zugnglichen Territorium, sie folgen einer inneren "Migrationskarte", Am schlimmsten ist es in Libyen. Von Oberst Muammar die sich aus den Berichten anderer Wanderarbeiteral-Gaddafi wurde das Land einst fr ganz Afrika geff- stndig aktualisiert. Es spricht viel fr die Annahme, net, heute ist es gespickt mit sogenannten Auffangla- dass Europa die Summe solch millionenfacher Ent- gern. In Libyen treffen sich fnf Migrationsrouten; das scheidungen niemals wird "steuern" knnen. bewog die Berlusconi-Regierung schon 2003, bevor dieSanktionen gegen Libyen fielen, zum ersten Abkommen Weil die globale Migration so komplex ist, wird die ge-mit Gaddafi. genwrtige Weltwirtschaftskrise sie kaum nachhaltig reduzieren. Einige schtzfreudige Experten prophezei-In dem italienischen Dokumentarfilm "Come un uomo ten jngst bereits ein Minus von 30 Prozent. Aber wersulla terra" (Wie ein Mensch auf der Erde) berichten seit Jahren unterwegs ist, dreht nicht mitten in der Sa- thiopische und eritreische Flchtlinge, was bisher nur hara um. Die Krise schickt Migranten dort nach Hause,aus zweiter Hand bekannt war: Die Offshore-Lsung wo Freizgigkeit noch mglich ist oder wo sie direkt europischer Migrationsbekmpfung wird mit schweren vertrieben werden. Fr viele andere wirkt hingegen der Menschenrechtsverletzungen bezahlt. sogenannte Sperrklinken-Effekt: Wer wei, dass er die Grenzbarriere kein zweites Mal wird berwinden kn-Im Norden Libyens, in Tripolis oder Bengazi aufgegrif- nen, klammert sich um jeden Preis am Migrationslandfen, werden Flchtlinge wie Vieh in unbelfteten Con- fest. Mittlerweile nimmt auch die Weltbank an, die tainern 1 500 Kilometer durch die Wste nach Kufrah Transferzahlungen wrden nicht in jenem Mae sinkentransportiert; die Reise dauert zwanzig Stunden, der wie zunchst prognostiziert. stockdunkle Container heizt sich auf wie ein Ofen, esgibt keinen Halt und kein Wasser, alle sitzen in Erb- Die moralisch wirkmchtigste aller Migrationslegendenrochenem, Kot, Urin, Kinder schreien bis zur Erschp- trat ber Jahre im schmucken Gewand der Humanittfung. Nach Monaten der Haft in Kufrah werden sie dann auf: Es gelte, die wahren Asylsuchenden zu errettenvon der libyschen Polizei an die Grenze zum Sudan aus der Flut von Wirtschaftsflchtlingen. Wer illegale gebracht - genauer gesagt: Sie werden in einem einge- Migration bekmpfe, helfe jenen, die als politisch Ver-spielten Deal fr 20 bis 30 Euro pro Kopf an sudanesi- folgte wirklich des Schutzes bedrften. Das Gegenteilsche Schlepper verkauft, die den Flchtlingen gegen ist wahr. Die Bekmpfung der Zuwanderung hat Asyl- etwa 500 Dollar helfen, zurck an die libysche Kste zu recht und Flchtlingsschutz vielerorts auer Kraft ge- kommen. Dort wieder verhaftet geht es zurck nach setzt. Auf hoher See, so die Rechtsauffassung vonKufrah - und so weiter. Manche wurden fnfmal, sie- Bundesinnenministerium und Frontex, fnde die Genfer benmal hin und her transportiert, bis ihnen endlich die Flchtlingskonvention per se keine Anwendung. BooteFlucht nach Italien gelang. Die Behauptung, in Libyenwerde gefoltert, htte frher kaum einen europischen 5German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Giga Focus 8/2008 9 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 10. Politiker zum Widerspruch gereizt. Nun muss man esGepflegte Erschtterung und falsche Vorstel- so formulieren: Die EU ermuntert zur Folter.lungen In der Debatte ber die ominse Schleuserdatei fiel Auf welcher Bedrohungsanalyse basiert eine Politik, die indes noch etwas anderes auf. Der hiesigen ffentlich- ein humanitres Desaster fr einen akzeptablen Preiskeit scheint nicht bekannt zu sein, dass die legale Ein- hlt? Die EU-Kommission arbeitet offiziell mit einerreise nach Europa ein Mythos ist, ein Trugbild, das Ziffer von 4,5 bis 8 Millionen Illegalen in der EU. Wis-zerrinnt, wenn etwa ein junger Afrikaner oder ein junger senschaftler amHamburgerWeltwirtschaftsinstitut Araber danach greift. In weiten Teilen dieser Welt ist es (HWWI) haben sich die Mhe gemacht zurckzuverfol-nahezu unmglich geworden, sich fr ein Visum nach gen, auf welchen Quellen die behaupteten 8 MillionenEuropa zu qualifizieren. Allein Geld schafft Vertrauen. basieren. Die Beweiskette sah so aus: Ein Arbeitspa-Einem Afrikaner aus einem armen Land traut Europa pier der Kommission von 2007 berief sich auf die Studie nur, wenn er reich ist. Afrikas Dekadenz, sie bekommt einer Unternehmensberatung, diese berief sich auf eineein Visum. irische Stiftung, und diese wiederum berief sich auf einen Artikel in Le Figaro aus dem Jahr 2004. Nach einer sich hartnckig haltenden Legende sind die Folgen von Flucht und Migration "the white man's Wie viele irregulre Migranten aus welchen Lndernburden". Die progressive Version geht so: Der Zustrom sich mit welchen Absichten wo in Europa aufhalten - vor allem aus Afrika sei als Strafe fr den Kolonialismus ber all das wei man erstaunlich wenig. Es gibt nurzu akzeptieren. Doch wer in Afrika flieht oder migriert, Schtzungen, oft waghalsige, die auf immer mehr EU- bleibt meist in Afrika. 7 Allein in der Republik Sdafrika Mitgliedstaaten hochgerechnet werden. halten sich laut Schtzungen des nationalen Innenmi- nisteriums 7 Millionen "Illegale" auf, davon sind 3 Millio- Ein internationales Forscherteam, federfhrend dabeinen aus Simbabwe. Sdafrika beherbergt mit seinen 47 das HWWI, sucht nach einer solideren Grundlage. ImMillionen Einwohnern also ungefhr so viele Irregulre Rahmen des "Clandestino"-Projekts 6 haben Wissen- wie die gesamte Europische Union. Was sagte doch schaftler aus sechs EU-Lndern bisher die Daten aus der italienische Innenminister ber die 31 000 Ankmm- zwlf EU-Mitgliedstaaten untersucht und wissenschaft- linge im Jahr 2008 auf Lampedusa? "Wir mssen ihnen lich bereinigt. Fr die Gesamt-Union sind so erstmals sagen, dass in Europa kein Platz mehr ist." Schtzwerte mit transparenten Quellen entstanden. Sie liegen unter den offiziell genutzten Zahlen, beziffern dieViel mehr Bootsflchtlinge als auf Lampedusa kamen Irregulren zwischen 2,8 und 6 Millionen. Dies wrenim armen Jemen an: 51 091 Menschen waren es im 0,5 bis 1,5 Prozent der registrierten EU-Bevlkerung. Invergangenen Jahr, allein in den ersten drei Monaten Deutschland ist die Datenlage besonders schlecht; die diesen Jahres 8 waren es schon fast 20 000. Tglich Clandestino-Forscher versuchen nun zumindest frversuchen Verzweifelte aus dem zerfallenden Somalia eine einzige Stadt, Hamburg, zu besseren Nherungs- die gefhrliche berfahrt, tglich fahren Betreuer im werten zu gelangen. Da Deutschland mit seinen 82Jemen die Strnde ab und begraben angeschwemmte Millionen Einwohnern rund ein Sechstel der EU-Tote. Der Golf von Aden hat vermutlich schon die Lei- Bevlkerung stellt, tragen die hiesigen Unklarheiten viel chen von mehr als 2 000 somalischen Flchtlingen zum unklaren Gesamtbild bei.verschlungen.Die Clandestino-Forschung wird von der Europischen Nur notdrftig wird diese humanitre Katastrophe von Kommission finanziert, doch von der Mahnung der den Silhouetten der Kriegsschiffe verdeckt, die in den- Forscher zur Besonnenheit lsst sich die Exekutiveselben Gewssern auf Piratenjagd gehen. Es war Bun- nicht aufhalten. In Deutschland wurde jngst der kabi-desinnenminister Wolfgang Schuble, der im Kabinett nettsreife Entwurf einer "Visa-Einlader- und Warndatei" durchsetzte, dass die Bundeswehr ihre gefangenen erst nach kirchlichen Protesten zurckgezogen. WerPiraten in Kenia abldt - wrden sie in Deutschland vor einen visumpflichtigen Gast einldt, sollte als potenziel-Gericht gestellt, knnten sie Asyl beantragen. Das klingt ler Schleuser zentral gespeichert werden. nur im ersten Moment absurd: Nach dem Irak ist Soma-7 83 Prozent von circa 10 Millionen afrikanischer Flchtlin- ge bleiben auf dem Kontinent (UNHCR 12/2007) 6 8 Hirregular-migration.hwwi.net UNHCR 3/200910 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 11. lia gegenwrtig das Herkunftsland der weltweit meistenNhe eines teuren Schleppertickets nach Europa kom- 9 Asylbewerber. men; sie werden in die innerafrikanischen Flchtlings- trecks gesplt, ohne jede Entscheidungsmglichkeit. So fgt sich am Horn von Afrika einiges zusammen: der Wer sich aus Subsahara auf die hochgefhrliche Reise Schutz von Schiffen und Eigentum des Nordens, die in den Norden macht, hat hingegen eine Entscheidung Verteidigung europischen Territoriums gegen Failed-getroffen. Sie mag individueller oder kollektiver Natur State-Migranten, die gewollte Blindheit gegenber einer sein - wenn die ganze Familie, das ganze Dorf das Flchtlingstragdie - und die Konstruktion eines neuenntige Geld aufgebracht hat. Dass es hingegen die Sonderrechts, das einem reichen Land das Entsorgenstumme Macht der Verhltnisse sei, die alternativlos in unliebsamer Hftlinge ermglicht. die Migration treibe, "weil wir sonst verhungern", ist eine Selbststilisierung fr die Kameras weier Fernseh- Kenia, weit davon entfernt, die Drahtzieher seiner eth- teams. nischen Pogrome nach den letzten Wahlen zur Verant- wortung zu ziehen, bekam nun handstreichartig von Der Mythos, es seien die Strksten und Besten, die Bundesverteidigungsminister Franz Josef Jung "die weggehen, beleidigt ganz nebenbei all jene, die weiter- bernahme europischer Mastbe der Strafverfol-hin jeden Tag mit der Hacke aufs Feld ziehen - also die gung" attestiert. Nach dem Muster der neuen globalenMasse der Schwarzafrikaner. Und die Stilisierung Strukturpolitik ist damit wiederum ein Drittland geschaf- schlgt ohne Gnade auf den Migranten selbst zurck, fen worden. Der Begriff wurde einst in der Asylrechts-wenn er mit leeren Hnden zurckkehrt. Trotz tausend- debatte geboren (in einem "sicheren Drittland" gibt esfacher Abschiebungen und tausendfachen Ertrinkens per Definition keine politi-sche Verfolgung), geriet vonwird ein glckloser Heimkehrer zu Hause als Versager dort in die Bekmpfung der Migration (Hilfspolizist behandelt. Um der sozialen Verachtung zu entrinnen, Transitland); nun ist das sichere Drittland in der Straf- wird er sich, wenn es nur irgend geht, bald in den verfolgung angekommen. Und wieder winkt ein Deal: nchsten fatalen Reiseplan strzen. Und niemand mit "Ein armes Land wie Kenia trgt schlielich keinenkhlem Kopf und moralischer Autoritt stellt sich ihm in Schaden davon, wenn es den reichen Europern ausden Weg. Wo sind die afrikanischen Aufklrer, wo sind der Patsche hilft", meinte die Sddeutsche Zeitungdie Imame, die junge Leute davon abhalten, zu horren- sarkastisch.den Schlepperkosten den Routen des Todes zu folgen? Das Erzhlen von den dramatischen Odysseen afrika-Im muslimischen Westafrika ist die Migration fr viele nischer Flchtlinge wird mit Medienpreisen belohnt. Das Marabuts, die lokalen muslimischen Autoritten, ein europische Publikum reagiert mit gepflegter Erschtte- eintrgliches Geschft. Sie verkaufen Fetische, die rung; die Exekutive schert das wenig. Gekentertebeim berleben auf hoher See und in der Glut der Bootsflchtlinge haben in unseren Nachrichten mittler-Wste helfen sollen. Nur ein Nebenaspekt? In Dakar weile den Routinestatus der Anschlagsopfer vom XY-trifft man auf einen jungen Senegalesen, der durch alle Markt in Bagdad. Den Sensibelsten im Publikum bleibtHllen der Migration gegangen ist; dreimal hat er die ein Gefhl der Scham - und ein moralischer Reflex: dieberfahrt zu den Kanaren gewagt, links und rechts von Idealisierung der Migration und die Heroisierung vonihm starben Dutzende, er warf die Leiche seines besten Migranten. Zumal jener aus Afrika, deren Notlage manFreundes ber Bord. Am Ende antwortet er auf die zweifelsfrei zu kennen glaubt. Die Reaktion ist ver-Frage, wie er berlebt habe: "Ich hatte den strksten stndlich, doch sie nhrt sich von Mythen, und es sindFetisch." dieselben Mythen, die bereits in den afrikanischen Herkunftsge-sellschaften Schaden anrichten. Der italienische Journalist Gabriele del Grande hat in seinen verdienstvollen Recherchen 10 die Lebensum- Wahlweise gelten Migranten als die "Besten", diestnde gescheiterter Migranten rekonstruiert und in "Strksten" ihrer Gesellschaften, oder als die "rms- ihren Milieus nach den Grnden fr die Ausreise ge- ten", die "Verzweifeltsten". Weniges von diesen Super-forscht. Er stie auf ein Bndel von Motiven, keines- lativen hlt Nachprfungen stand. Die Verzweifeltsten und rmsten sind jene, die niemals auch nur in die10 Gabriele del Grande: "Mamadous Fahrt in den Tod. Die Tragdie der irregulren Migranten im Mittelmeer". Karlsruhe (Von Loeper) 2008, 9 21 800 im Jahr 2008, nach: UNHCR Briefing Note 3/2009 Hhttp://fortresseurope.blogspot.com/ 11 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 12. wegs nur Armut. Oft ist es das Gefhl, Bleiben bedeute,4 000 US-Dollar pro Kopf erreicht; davon ist das "sein Leben wegzuwerfen, weil es keine Arbeit gibt, weil subsaharische Afrika unendlich weit entfernt. sich nichts bewegt". ber einen 22-Jhrigen notiert del Grande: "Mit Afrika ist er fertig." Korrupte, unfhige Europa hat der Migration den Krieg erklrt. Manche Regierungen sehen solche jungen Mnner gern gehen: junge Migranten sehen sich reziprok als Kmpfer, als Migration statt Rebellion. So nhrt eine verhngnisvolle Soldaten in diesem Krieg. Ihre verunglckten Kamera- Allianz die Sucht, blo wegzukommen: ruchloseden nennen sie "Gefallene". Doch aus der Parole "Eu- Schlepper, geldgierige Marabouts, larmoyante Ober- ropa oder der Tod!" spricht eine entsetzliche Resignati- klassen und eitle, kurzsichtige Dorfchefs, die endlich on; sie ist eine Bankrotterklrung Afrikas. Die Schlacht aucheine so groe,prchtige Moscheeaus msste anderswo geschlagen werden. Wenn die jun- Migrantengeld haben wollen, wie sie bereits im Nach- gen Leute mit der Kraft, dem Wagemut und der Hartn- bardorf steht. ckigkeit, die sie durch die Sahara und ber die Meeretreibt, ihren Regierungen entgegentrten. Um ein Leben Gewiss, Migration bewirkt viel Positives. Die berwei- zu fordern, das es wert ist, nicht auf See weggeworfen sungen der Migranten, mit weltweit 337 Milliarden US-zu werden.11 Dollarviel hher als die offizielle Entwicklungshilfe, ernhren Millionen Familien, lindern Armut, versorgen viele Drfer mit dem Ntigsten. Aber es ist eine Hilfe Charlotte Wiedemann ist Journalistin und Autorin. ohne politisches Mandat, sie lindert, schafft keine kol- Zuletzt erschien: "Ihr wisst nichts ber uns! Meine Rei- lektive, nachhaltige Perspektive fr die nchste Genera- sen durch einen unbekannten Islam", Freiburg (Herder) tion. Und dass mehr staatliche Entwicklungshilfe Migra-2008. tion berflssig machen wrde, ist wiederum ein My- thos - gut gemeint, aber wissenschaftlich nicht haltbar. "Le Monde diplomatique, Berlin Migration nimmt mit steigendem Entwicklungsstand Le Monde diplomatique Nr. 8907 vom 12.6.2009 noch zu; ein Wendepunkt, der sogenannte Migrations- buckel, ist erst bei einem Bruttonationaleinkommen von 11IOM-Bericht 2008, siehe Anmerkung 2 12 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 13. Loren Landau: Gazing Northward: African Impacts of European Immigration Policy and Practice This short essay makes two sets of arguments. The first In trying to make sense of how these affect African should make progressive Europeans feel better about migration patterns, I draw on work being done by col- themselves and their countries approach to governing leagues working in North Africa, France, and elsewhere migration. While there are abuses and atrocities in and in the Mediterranean as part of an URMIS-run pro- around Europe, the treatment of migrants within Africagramme on transit migration. In particular, this essay by African states and citizens remains a far more criticaldraws on an earlier paper, written for a similar discus- issue in terms of the number of people affected and the sion, by my colleague, Aurelia Wa Kabwe Segatti. impacts on human rights and development. The second point undermines whatever relief the first provides.Before continuing to the essays substance, it is also Although the vast majority of African migrants remain worth noting that even were there a clear set of policies within Africa, European policy priorities and practices and a clear set of effects of them, we may not know still matter but its influences are largely negative andwhat they are. Across sub-Saharan Africa, data scarcity occasionally nefarious. However, these impacts of prevents informed predictions or good analysis of policy those policies can only be fully seen when viewed fromframeworks. Moreover, institutional incapacity limits our far away. In this paper, it is not individual migrants ability to empirically challenge assertions and promises welfare or frustrations that occupy my attention. In- made by outsiders, an ability further compromised by stead, this essay explores four ways in which whatmany countries dependence on foreign assistance from happens in Europe or as people attempt to reach those they might otherwise criticise. There are moves to Europe affects African migrants and those with whom collect more information and build capacitya key task they engage: First, by limiting the flow of remittances of the Forced Migrations Studies Programme (FMSP) and opportunities; second, by diverting or redirectingbut our current understanding of migration generally migration trajectories; third, by extending the migration and how it might be influenced by European develop- process and creating a generation of transit migrants;ments has far to go. As such, the remainder of the and fourth, by directly and indirectly influencing Africandocument should be read as a series of provocations: migration policies through exhortation, aid, and exam-points for discussions and deliberation rather than con- ple.clusions. Although it occasionally provides illustrations, this essay Why Migration to Europe is Not What Really does not exhaustively review data in an effort to high- Matters light the pros and cons of contemporary EuropeanNewspapers and television are filled with images of migration governance. Nor do I pretend to be an expertAfricans struggling, and often failing, to reach Europe. in European migration matters. Based at the far end ofDetention centres across North Africa are filled with the Africa continent, my focus is largely on the conti- failed migrants while tens of thousands are caught and nents Southern and Eastern reaches, the parts leastreturned home against their will. Tens of thousands affected by why takes place on or around the Mediter- also die trying to cross the Mediterranean or to reach ranean. As such, my understanding of what happens inthe Canary Islands. Self-flagellating stories in the me- the Mediterranean relies more on news reports and dia, often recount the domestic evils of European migra- rumour than careful research or reflection. That said, it tion policy: abuse, discrimination, detention, and the is not entirely clear what border management in the increasingly faint possibility of asylum. These are hor- Mediterranean area entails. As far as my reading sug- rific stories to be sure and have rightfully causes a gests, there is not a single, clear, or coherent policy.certain degree of soul search among progressive Euro- There is Frontex, but even this agency is shrouded in peans. Without denying their shock value, we must mystery regarding mission, responsibility, and over-keep in mind that most of these accounts have little sight. Instead, I can only respond to a series of ad hoc, immediate bearing on the vast majority of Africas inter- changing, and unevenly implemented policy initiatives.national migrants.13 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 14. Viewed from the perspective of Southern and, to someor those outside the urban centres from where they extent, Eastern Africa, Europe is largely a place for have come. As Zygmunt Bauman reminds us, the skilled and professional migrants. The greatest numberbridges these elite follow to the West are drawbridges. of these has come from South Africa close to a millionAt the whim of those inside the fortress, what was an since 1994 although Zimbabwe has also been haem-easy trot for some becomes a dangerous moat for oth- orrhaging its professionals to the United Kingdom and ers. It is this moat and the crocodiles it contains that elsewhere. In East Africa, Kenya and Uganda have long should worry us. been exporters of caring skillsand now other forms of expertiseto the North. A recent UK parliamentary Whether it is due to the crocodiles, expense, or individ- study found more Malawian doctors practicing in Britain ual ambitions, the vast majority of African migrants than in Malawi. remain within Africa. Given the degree to which current debates, including this one, reflect external interests or Today out-migration continues for an array of reasons self-criticism, it is little surprise that they are dominated including job opportunities, wage differentials, workingby discussions of migration from relatively poor South- conditions, crime, and, at least in South Africa, as aern countries to members of the OECD. But privileging side-effect of affirmative action policies that are per-South-North migration inaccurately reflects global pat- ceived as limiting career prospects for the countrys terns of human mobility and distracts us from their de- White minority. Indeed, the immigration policies of velopmental and human impacts. Recent estimates find countries such as the UK or Canada have attracted that only about half of the 74 million international mi- many qualified South Africans, particularly those skilled grants from developing countries reside in significantly in the medical professions. In 2003-2004, South Africawealthier, Northern countries. If one removes Latin and acknowledged a deficit of 57,574 nurses, 200 of themNorth American migration systems from these figures, leaving the country every month. Since 2004, no figures the percentage remaining in the south jumps dramati- have been available for South African citizens where-cally. According to data cited in a recent World Bank abouts. However, comparing stocks of South Africanreport, 69% of Africas international migrants stay in migrants in receiving countries and self-declared emi-Africa. This translates into something close to 3.1 mil- grants, Statistics South Africa came to the conclusionlion African-born people (including North Africans) in that approximately 322,499 South Africans had emi-Europe with 18 million international migrants within grated between 1970 and 2001 Others have argued Africa. To put it bluntly, those in Europe are significant that the number is three times that or more. The bulk ofminority, but they are just that: the most important mi- these are in Europe with smaller concentrations ingrations are on the continent. North America and Australia. A closer look at migration within the region reveals a number of other important dimensions. For one, the The Skills Exodus number of refugees in Africa is almost equal to the This is an important loss of human capital for Southern number of Africa migrants to Europe: 3,023,000 in 2005 and Eastern Africa, but one that may be compensated according to the UNHCR (2006). Many of these are by remittances and educational opportunities. It is also housed in massive camps that generate crime, insecu- not entirely clear, as Michael Clemens work on medical rity, and social tensions and potentially reshape trading migration out of Africa suggests, that these people networks and political authority. Second, the number of would be contributing in their professions had they people displaced by war, conflict, and natural disaster is stayed in Africa. Indeed, many leave not only for higher probably close to double the number of refugees. Third, wages, but so that the practice their profession under and perhaps most significantly, urbanisation is resulting acceptable conditions and live in a place that supports in millions of people moving on a yearly basis. The their lifestyle aspirations. For present purposes, all this United Nations estimates that between 1995 and 2000, is beside the point: these people are generally unaf- Nigeria alone had 5.4 million rural to urban migrants, fected by current efforts to curb African migration. For Tanzania had 2.0 million, Kenya had 1.8 million, and the most part, professionals plan their journeys, arrive South Africa another 1.28 million. The result of these regularly, and walk easily through airport customs. And movements may not be as Malthusian as many fear, while they may play important roles in the economy, but there is no denying their long-term significance on they are unlikely to provide assistance to the very poor health, service delivery, families, and political institu-14 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 15. tions. There are also massive abuses to human rights refugee camps help them to achieve education or meet and dignity along with corruption and exploitation emergency expenses. In some instances, these mon- that accompany many of these moves, both domesticeys help to rebuild their communities (although they and international. As important as debates over Euro-may also help finance conflict). Our research also sug- pean immigration policies might be, these are the dy-gests that remittances are important resources in help- namics that we should be paying attention to. Unfortu- ing people to continue their migration: by receiving nately, they are only now creeping on to the African money from abroad, people who might otherwise get policy agenda where they are meeting fear, ignorance,stuck in Malawi or Mozambique are able to continue to and incapacity from those who should be addressing South Africa or elsewhere. them. If there is to be a positive European intervention in Africas migration governance systems, it will be toThe success at blocking migration of the poor into build the capacity to understand migration and devel-Europe will turn off this tap. Even by raising the costs of opment pragmatic policies to respond to it.movement across borders, people are less likely to visithome an important time for transferring resources andinvesting in home countries (investments that may Gazing Northward: Why European Migrationresult in an ultimate return). As much of the research on Policy Still Mattersremittances suggests the amount of money sent de- Although I would prefer that our attention focus far moreclines over time, trapping people in or out of Europe will heavily on migration policies and practices within Af-have important, negative consequences for moneys ricaincluding the massive abuse and exploitation ofreturned to the continent. That said, the vast majority of international and domestic migrants and refugeesAfricans from East, Central, and Southern Africa are across the continentthere are many a good reason tofrom relatively wealthy and professional families. There consider how Europe is managing migration. In particu-is research waiting to be done on the public develop- lar, how these policies and practices are influencingmental effects of money sent to their families although what happens in Africa. In reviewing things European,there are good reasons to believe the effects on poverty we need to go beyond our justified indignation at theare minimal. treatment of asylum seekers and migrants for their deaths and indignities can distract us from more far reaching concerns. In this regard I want to draw atten-Diversion and Redirection tion to four areas where what is happening in EuropeWhile the influence of European policy and practice on matters for the parts of Africa with which I am familiar.remittances may affect only a few especially when There are undoubtedly many more issues that could beviewed from East and Southern Africa its influences included here. At the very least, there is much more toare more pronounced on migration trajectories within say about the issues than I am able to do here.the continent. In a 2006 FMSP survey in Johannesburg,Maputo, and Nairobi, close to 50% of migrants from Remittancesnon-neighbouring countries (e.g., Congolese in Mo-zambique and South Africa, not Mozambicans in South The first concern relates to cash remittances, a themeAfrica) had originally considered going somewhere else. that has, for better or worse, been at the centre of re-In almost all cases, this was Europe (with lesser num- cent deliberations over migration and developmentbers aiming for North America and other locations). across much of Europe, North America, and within theWith that option effectively closed, South Africa has international financial institutions. While I question thebecome an important second best. Even for West Afri- centrality afforded to remittances in resolving Africascans, long a primary pool of migrants to Europe, South development challenges, there can be little doubt thatAfrica has started to attract those who either lack the these transfersmaterial, social, politicalremainresources or courage to head north. critical to the welfare and survival of people from send- ing communities. Remittances from ZimbabweansBut while South Africa provides important human de- abroad have helped keep that country afloat during itsvelopment advantages for migrants, the economic op- years of crisis and some of the continents least produc-portunities remain modest compared with those in tive countries rely for their collective survival on moneyEurope. Even in semi-professional positions, the earn- coming from abroad. Remittances to relatives stuck ining differentials are not as great as they are as between15 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 16. sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Living and transport documents are still more likely to open doors than a costs are lower, but migrants are still considerably less passport from Congo, Nigeria, or Mozambique. In the able to accumulate capital in South Africa. Moreover meantime, this group is a rich pool for predatory police although not unrelated legal status is tenuous andhoping to gain a quick buck. Elsewhere, migrants have hard to come by. This means that people live in a state attempted to enter the refugee resettlement schemes, of permanent insecurity. While this similarly applies tochanging their identities and their histories with the many undocumented migrants in Europe, limited restric-hope of riding a UNHCR plane to Europe, Australia, or tions on arrest and deportation in Europe provide a North America. modicum of security (although these may soon erode). For long term migrants in South Africa, it is not uncom- Leading Through Aid and Example mon to be deported two or three times. At the very The last area of influence I want to discuss is the most least, small business people are likely to lose many of nefarious. It relates to the direct and indirect ways that their belonging to avaricious neighbours or state European migration policy particularly its ever more agents. Beyond simple harassment, the physical secu- restrictive and dehumanising sets of controls is influ- rity of migrants is also at risk. As the May 2008 xeno- encing African border and migration practice. Although phobic attacks illustrated to the world, South Africas the International Organisation for Migration has, with public commitment to human rights does not always European support, played a positive role in training include the rights of non-nationals. Until South Africa officials and assisting in the repatriation of refugees, accepts its role as a regional destination for migrants, it their hyperbolic anti-trafficking agenda, pushed with will remain a problematic second option. European and American support, has helped ensure that migration continues to be framed as a law- A State of Permanent Transitenforcement concern. Despite the relatively few people The desire to move to Europe coupled with the effective affected by the horrors of human trafficking in Southern inability to do so is helping to generate a small but sig-Africa, the IOM and its partners have managed to push nificant number of migrants caught in a state of perma- for policy reform while the faulty asylum system remains nent transit. For them, a successful migration experi-relatively untouched. (Claims that trafficking is the sec- ence will only end when they reach an increasinglyond most profitable illicit business after drugs do not get elusive destination north of the Mediterranean. Our the critical public eye to realise that they are thoroughly research across Southern and East Africa reveals thewithout empirical base.) In doing so, they have also lent presence of this group, people who are reluctant to support for those calling for stricter and more militarised invest where they are or return home. In some cases borders throughout the region. they are supported by relatives at home or those who have already made it to richer destinations. In other The European Union is also playing an important if cases, they work only to save for an onward journey more sophisticated role in South Africas immigration that may never happen, sending neither remittances or regime by creating a coalition of the willing, to borrow a building a future in their current residents. Their num-term from the Bush administration. Through political bers are relatively small, but appear to be growing asdialogues and capacity-building, they are gradually more people join those stuck in limbo. Ongoing re-winning allies in their ongoing campaign to legitimise search hopes to reveal more about the state of beingtightened border controls. This has both immediate and betwixt and between, a liminality that undoubtedly haslong-term benefits to the European Union. In the short- important socio-economic and political consequences.term, it helps prevent people from using South Africa as a springboard into the European Union. Although the Apart from the immediate impact on their welfare, their numbers following this route are relatively small, corrup- presence has increased the profitability of corruption in tion within South Africas Department of Home Affairs the document trade. Until recently, South Africans didand relatively lax visa requirements for South Africans not require a visa to enter to the United Kingdom. Con- travelling to Europe (particularly those heading towards sequently, Africans from across the continent came to the United Kingdom), mean that South Africa is a fre- South Africa in the hope of securing the money and thequent point of transit for Africans and Asians with inten- documents needed to make the trip north. The UK has tions of onward travel (see above). subsequently changed its policy, but South African 16 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 17. Over time, the European Unions hope might be to human-rights oriented country like South Africa can strengthen South Africas border control ethos so as topoint northward and ask, If Europe can do that to its ensure support for its restrictive immigration measuresimmigrants, why shouldnt we? within international policy fora. Countries that them- selves are practicing severe border regulations are in a poor position to protest when Europe tightens its con- Prof. Loren Landau, PhD, is Director of the Forced trols one more notch. Already we see the impacts inMigration Studies Programme at the University of the policy dialogues and debates around the future ofWitwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Southern African migration policy and practice. Even a 17 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 18. Sunny Omwenyeke The Fortress Within: Restriction of Movement and Refugee Self-Organisation The concept of Fortress Europe entails in political andThe Fortress Within practical terms, the concerted will of the collectiveThe above is only one side of the coin. The other side is European Union (EU) to prevent unwanted migrants,what obtains within the EU proper and this comple- refugees or asylum seekers from entering the territorialments the former, hence the Fortress Within. To be EU. And beyond preventing them from entering, it alsospecific, I use Germany and the Residence Obligation describes the weeding away of each and every one ofLaw (Residenzpflicht) for illustration. In Germany, refu- the aforementioned groups who, by dint of courage orgees are restricted to the particular administrative Dis- unyielding persistence already found themselves withintricts where they are registered and irrespective of the the EU but have yet to secure a permanent legal resi-reasons and urgency, they can only leave there with a dence. Underlying this concept is the idea that the EUwritten permission issued by the foreigners office. Any must secure and protect itself from being swarmed byrefugee who violates this restriction is either fined or these unwanted elements; that could constitute a strainsent to prison or can be both fined and imprisoned. The on the social system here.fine could be as much as 2500euro and the jail term asmuch as a year. Refugees are denied the right to free- Therefore, the farther the territorial border is fromdom of movement and are forced to live in miserable mainland EU the higher the probability of actually pre-Lagers for the endless years that it takes to decide their venting these groups of people from stepping into theasylum applications. Most of these Lagers are isolated EU. To this end, not only has the territorial EU borderfrom the mainstream society and sometimes located in been broadened to Eastern Europe, coerced and dubi-abandoned military barracks in the jungle with little or ous agreements have been reached with some of theno access. They are deliberately isolated from the main countries that now border the EU aimed at preventingpopulace like outcasts and stigmatised. the unwanted from reaching the EU. Now can these refugees be regarded as inhabiting an These new border countries like Ukraine and across theArea of Freedom or simply living-out life in a Fortress? See like Libya have been compelled to be recipient ofNo doubt it is the latter. The Residence Obligation is a EU camps (Lagers); where supposedly, asylum appli-clear violation of the right to individual freedom of cants are held and their application processed to pre-movement and a violation of the right to human dignity. vent their presence in Europe. The audacious FRON-It is a blatant violation of Article 13 of the Universal TEX project of the EU is a step further in the intensifica-Declaration of Human Rights and Article 2 Protocol tion of border policing-both land and water, to achieveNo.4 of the European Convention on Human Rights. the aim of preventing the unwanted from entering andThe UNHCR, human rights groups and refugee activists not the burnished humanitarian image that is sold to thehave long condemned this as inhuman and campaign- public. Put differently, secured and externalised bordersers have rightly branded it as the Pass Law in Ger- and externalised Lagers is the solution to the problemmany, in direct comparison to the erstwhile Pass Law in of the unwanted in the EU, even at the expense ofapartheid South Africa. Its effects on refugees com- human freedom and dignity. This is because the EUbined with their living conditions are broad and far turns a blind eye to its humanitarian commitment andreaching. As space will not permit these to be ex- obligations and the precarious condition of the un-hausted here, I will therefore briefly look at its history wanted that is orchestrated by its own policies andand the self-organisation of refugee groups in Germany. actions like its lop-sided trade policies with the so-called third world countries.When most refugees leave their friends and loved onesbehind, they do so in search for safety, security and thepreservation of their human dignity. They carry the hopeto live a good life if not a better one than they have had18 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 19. and to lend a helping hand to those they leave behind.nals and not fit to live here. For refugees, this criminali- They are often driven by war-which they are not re- sation by default is a traumatic experience. sponsible for, hunger-arising from the loss of the means of livelihood, persecution-political and cultural; some ofThe so-called Residence Obligation was established which are neither properly nor legally codified interna-with the introduction of the Asylum Procedure Law of tionally and thus not a sufficient reason for being 1982. The argument was that it would make it possible granted international protection (asylum).or easier for the authorities to contact refugees for their asylum cases. An argument that flies in the face since Contrary to widely held opinion in the West, they do notallowing refugees to move freely is not a hindrance to simply want to feed on the sweat of others. They arecontacting them. Moreover, the registered address of being forced by the circumstances to seek a place morethe refugee is already enough for contact. In reality, the amenable to their desires and aspirations as humanlaw was about intensified control-like the EU borders, beings. They therefore also want to develop and livemaking life uncomfortable as much as possible for like other regular and normal human beings, study orrefugees here and then sending them out if they cant work as the case may be even while they go throughbear it anymore. It was also to prevent other potential their travail. Much as no one expects a red-carpet re-refugee from coming-since they will not like it here as it ception, no one also expects to be restricted to a par- wont be comfortable. This recent history is ebbed on a ticular local District for years on end. The expectations control mentality and it dates back much longer. Com- and hopes always seem to be at odds with the reality. bined this with the Lager system, you arrive at a lager For some it is a shock and for others it is outright disbe- and control mentality which basically underlies the lief. asylum system here in Germany with no respect for freedom and human dignity.Peculiarity of Restriction Several studies by different independent organisationsAnd even earlier across Europe reveal that the restriction on the refugeeIt should be remembered that in former German colo- right to freedom of movement in Germany is unique. In nial territory like Togo, villagers and local inhabitants other words, there is no other country in Europe wherewere prevented from attending meetings outside their such a blanket restriction is placed on every refugee.immediate localities without permission from their Ger- What is also particularly troubling here is the arbitrari-man colonial masters. This was specifically to ensure ness of those in a position to issue any permission.that the locals were prevented from meeting and fo- They are not obliged to give any reason for their refusal menting any sort of unrest against their colonial mas- and in most cases, you only hear that refugees areters. And even more chilling is the recollection that on expected to eat and sleep in the Lagers and not travel- 22nd August 1938, the National Socialists through the ling all over the country. And many refugees have beenForeigners Police Order placed a very similar restric- told that if they are tired of eating and sleeping, theytion of movement on foreigners in Germany. can return to their countries. The consequence of a violation then like now was both Moreover, there is no provision for appealing sucha monetary fine and a possible one year jail term. And refusal except by going to the court, which makes a this law existed and remained valid until 1965 when a mockery of any attempt to get permission in the first new foreigner law was enacted. Judging from the simi- place. And in some Districts, refugees who only get larities in language, fine and consequences of the 1938 40euro a month have to pay 10euro for any permission. restriction and the Residence Obligation Law, it can If the applicant is politically active, the chances of re-hardly be doubted that the restriction placed on refu- fusal are doubled and so are the attempts to intimidate gees today in Germany has not simply been para- and persecute him/her for being active against thephrased from the racist law enacted by the dreaded miserable condition they are forced to live in. And whenNazi regime. That for a refugee in Germany in 2009 to permissions are refused and refugees are then com-leave his/her immediate District he/she needs a written pelled to violate the restriction, they are treated and permission from the foreigners office-else a fine or classified as criminals-a natural boost for statistics with possible jail term awaits upon police control is a star- the underlying message that most refugees are crimi-tling and sad reminder of that 1938 restriction. 19 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 20. So far the focus has been on the Residence Obligation situations. Such activists are usually sent to far more and the restriction of movement as a major problem to remote places to isolate them, limit their possible sup- show that many of us are really living it out in a For- port and solidarity to break any refugee resistance. tress, contrary to what others would want us believe. Added to this is that they could be deported anytime. But it should be said that it is not the only problem. There are the problems of refugees being denied pri-Third, even though many refugees live and experience vate accommodation and privacy, leaving adults to bethe same horrible conditions in the Lagers, bonding crammed together in single rooms, denied access totogether to confront these problems is not always an doctors and proper medication, being forced to use food easy or straightforward project. Sometimes, differences coupons with its consequent public humiliation and of in cultural background can be a problem. But more course the incessant police brutality; which sometimesimportant are both the issues of mistrust between refu- results in the death of refugees at the hands of thegees (in some cases due to previous experiences in police. These, combined, leave the refugees with hardly their home countries) and the politics of divide and rule any better option than to organise and confront them, by the authorities. For many who faced persecution and which brings us to refugee self-organisation. Normally, torture in their home countries, it takes time to trust a few courageous individuals take the initial lead. Theystrangers. Then there are those that are regarded as articulate the main problems before various audiences the good refugees-who are not complaining about and in no time, they are speaking on behalf of the oth- their ordeals here and therefore not giving the authori- ers while at the same time soliciting solidarity and sup- ties any problems and those seen as the trouble mak- port. It should be mentioned that although refugee self-ers-who would never keep quiet about the problems organisations are also engaged with other fundamental they experience in the system. So, the authorities play issues like the exploitation of their home countries, neo-them against each other and this affects how well they colonialism and the damning effects of globalisationorganise themselves against their common problems. amongst others, the focus here remains the experi- ences of these groups within the Fortress with particular Besides the continuous relocation and isolation of refu- attention to restriction of movement. gee activists by the authorities, some of the leading figures in any such resistance also cease to be active soon after their papers are regularised, move out of the Self-Organisation Lagers and no longer face movement restrictions. In Starting from the scratch, refugee self-organisation is a many cases, the void left is difficult to fill. Therefore, hard and strenuous affair for a multiplicity of reasons. long term commitment to common purpose from the First, many refugees faced with the plethora of prob- self-organisation perspective is a huge problem. An- lems that is the asylum process and the constant other problem is sustaining the structure of engagement threats of deportation simply withdraw onto themselves or improving on what has been developed for a start. and begin to suffer depression with little or no attention. Because these structures are usually feeble and unsta- In some cases, the result is an attempted suicide or ble, it is not uncommon to see them crumbling under actual suicide. pressure-both from refugees expectations of immediate solutions to his or her problems and from the authori- Second, because the formation of a refugee self- ties. By far one of the biggest problems to refugee self- organised group is usually predicated upon the immedi- organisation and networking remains the restriction of ate problems that confronts the refugees, the primary movement. When refugees go out of their Districts to aim of these groups is therefore to solve those prob- attend meetings and network with other refugees, the lems. While it is true that some of these problems like threat of being arrested possibly brutalised and the closing down a camp or abolishing food coupon require certainty of a fine hangs over his/her head. It takes a lot long term planning and strong commitment to solve, of courage and some preparedness to pay a heavy such long term plans are usually not part of the original price to continuously violate the restriction. Moreover, bargain at the beginning. One of the reasons for this is the intimidation and punishment that comes with such that you can never be sure of who will be around and action serves as a lesson to discourage other refugees for how long, to continue any such plans. This is be- from being politically active. cause the authorities always devise and employ the strategy of relocating most of the leading figures in such20 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 21. Effects and Results In 2000, The VOICE Forum hosted the Caravan- Nonetheless, refugee agitation leads to solutions oforganised International Refugee and Migrant Congress other problems like improving the living conditions in thein Jena. As preparation got underway refugees were camps or sometimes securing private apartments in threatened with imprisonment if they attend the Con- some cases. And what is undeniable is the motivation, gress without a written permission from the foreigners encouragement and re-awakening of hope that suchoffices. Many refugees defied the threat and attended little practical and tangible successes can inspire inthe congress without permission. They rose from the some refugees. They are then imbued with the self congress and launched a civil disobedience and the belief that they can fight and win even against the all-campaign to abolish the residence obligation law. They powerful state. This is also particularly true in deporta-vowed never to respect this law anymore and never to tion cases. When refugees are active, the authorities ask for any permission to leave their Districts. At the adopt a hostile and aggressive attitude towards him/her same time, they risked and were prepared to go to jail and usually attempt to deport such refugees with haste. rather than pay any fine for exercising their right to freedom of movement. For a known activist, it is easier to mobilise support and solidarity to stop such deportation attempts. The factSince then, there have been lots of public events, dis- that other refugees can see and feel the support andcussions, rallies, demonstrations and other forms of solidarity that hinder such a deportation; which can be protest against the residence law throughout the coun- traced back to the personal engagement of the refugee try. At the same time, litigations have gone through all usually offers a huge motivation. At the same time, the the instances in the German judicial system with the so-called good refugees are made to realise that irre-cases ending up at the European court of human rights. spective of how gentle they may be, it would not en-As expected, many refugees have been fined and pun- dear them to the authorities to stop their deportation. ished for violating the restriction. And while some have On the contrary, they see that their deportations are been threatened and remain threatened with imprison- usually easier because, it is more difficult to mobilisement, others have actually been sent to prison for support for them when it is needed because they are weeks or months depending on how angry the presiding relatively unknown. judge was at the time. Nevertheless, these groups are determined to not only expose the nature of the For- tress but break its tentacles Within. Resolve and Defiance Given the enormity of the problems refugees face here A Harder and Operational Fortress coupled with the institutional and societal racism, it is not surprising that many refugees feel too intimidatedFinally, we can review how the Fortress has developed and therefore afraid to confront the situation and fightand operated in its fortification, both externally and for their rights. There is a mental and psychological Within since the last several years and we can only block that needs be broken for many of these refugees.come to one conclusion: it is that the Fortress has be- This is precisely where self-organised and courageous come harder and more ruthless in trying to achieve its refugee activists and groups like The VOICE Forum aim of keeping out the unwanted. Just a few years ago, (http://thevoiceforum.org) and networks like the Cara-some people who sought asylum in this country away van-for therights of refugeesand migrants from dictatorship and other forms of oppression in their (http://thecaravan.org) come in. These groups consist ofhome countries still managed to secure that interna- refugees and migrants of diverse background fromtionally guaranteed protection. But since the last couple different nationalities and continents. Formed over 15of years, particularly with the reckless abandon with and 10 years ago respectively, they have the experi-which the so-called war on terror has been prosecuted ence of motivating and mobilising refugees in isolatedand its consequent anti-terror laws, the very reasons for Lagers to fight for their rights and not accept the de- which a lot of those people got asylum and international plorable conditions that are forced upon them here. protection has become the very reasons to now with- They have been at the forefront in highlighting the isola-draw that protection. Many are being forced to live and tion and social exclusion of refugees and the realities ofendure life in illegality or face the ominous process of the Fortress Within.being returned to the tormentors they fled from years ago. 21 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 22. And as if to show how ruthless the Fortress can be, theSee have become villains and criminals. They are being horrors and the harrowing experience of the Boat peo-prosecuted with jail terms awaiting them-for supposedly ple are further spiced with such cruelty and inhumanityhelping drowning people who ought to be left to drown. that is only matched by the inconsiderate and selfishAnd for the Fortress Within, it is the same-it is more aim to keep away the unwanted. And even so at thebrutal and more ruthless. As we speak a refugee is expense of disregarding and discarding the muchcurrently in jail to languish there for eights months for vaunted European value of human freedom and humanviolating the restriction law and no other offence. Imag- dignity not to mention humanitarian obligation. If anyoneine a crime that would warrant eight months in jail for a ever needed to be reminded of where we are, the sightGerman! The list goes onthe Fortress is here. of Spanish police and soldiers shooting and killing inno- cent migrants and potential refugees at their borders in 2005 should do. If not, then the more recent deadlySunny Omwenyeke is member of The VOICE and the collaboration with Libyan authorities will help. WeCaravan-for the rights of refugees and migrants. A should note that the Fortress is operational and its human rights campaigner, he was one of the activists functionality has been taken to a higher level in the just who launched the anti-Residenzpflicht campaign in ended week by the horrendous example of Italy. Having2000 and for his protest was imprisoned for 15 days. watched hundreds of hapless Boat people braved the odds and risks to arrive on its border, it wasted no timeReferences and immediately repatriated them to Libya without evenMichael Stoffels, Die Residenzpflicht eine rassisti- allowing them to make asylum claims. Libya of allsche Auflage fr Auslnder places-where there is neither any form of asylum poli-Grundrechte-Report (2002), S. 159-163 cies nor is it a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The research by European Council of Refugees andExiles (ECRE) on the restriction of movement for asy-lum seekers in Germany/Europe (2002). In Germany, if accident occurred and a victim needed help, a passer-by who refuses to help when it is withinThe Residenzpflicht-History and CurrentDevelopments in: Widerstands Bewegungen: Antiras- his/her capability is normally charged and prosecutedsismus zwischen Alltag und Aktion. (2005), Assoziation for not helping-to save life. Now, those who have takenA, Berlin/Hamburg. the risk to rescue and save drowning people on the high 22 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 23. Manuel Ferrer Muoz The social challenges of immigration in the Canary Islands The special case of Colombians Migration constitutes a structural phenomenon intrinsi- tical perspective oftentimes, a needlessly alarming cally associated to economic globalization and, there-one-, gets to know the human reality of migration and to fore, in the need of panoramic, not of singular ap- put a face to the persons who live to far from the soil proaches. Hence the need of thorough reflection in- where they were born. Having recognized this human stead of studies rushed by immediate urgencies. reality, we need to reflect upon the complexity of situa- tions and the diversity of migrant collectives: as an At the same time, more research about the diverse example it suffices to think as we noted before- about immigrant collectives, with their own peculiarities, arethe differences between the population coming from needed. For example, Colombian immigration to the Latin America and Africa or Europe. A far as Colombia Canary Islands responds to specific stimuli that areis concerned maybe the most notorious case- there associated with domestic problems in Colombia and, in are some who had arrived to the Canary Islands to flee particular, to the dramatic displacement of peoples due prosecution related to the guerrilla and those who left to the internal guerrilla conflict, paramilitary forces, drug for fear of the paramilitary. traffic, the environmental destruction done for the sake of the Plan Colombia and, in particular, and the deep We also need a better understanding of the living condi- recession of 1999. Not in vain has Colombia been rep- tions in the origin countries; that is, the reasons that resented as a country that flees in the face of combat- explain the willingness to start the migrant adventure ing armies. In terms of significant specificities there are and also of the contexts in which the existence of for- comparable cases of immigration from Morocco, Vene- eigners who live among us unfolds. zuela, Cuba, Argentina or Ecuador, to quote just a few non-EU countries from which the most intense migra- The Columbians in the Canaries tory flows come into the Canary Islands. The case of Colombia, as stated above, constitutes a chapter of its own, and claims a thorough meditation The media have accustomed Spaniards to focus the about the possibility to put to work some attempts of immigration phenomenon from the perspective of its containing war with social development policies or by of problems, without paying due attention to the positive way of the restructuring of marginality into productive effects it entails, to name just a few: the increase in the force that may be the basis for alternative projects of number of contributions to Social Security, the coverage development through social investment in education, of jobs in areas of low demand (domestic work, care of welfare policies and financing of community enterprises. the sick and elderly), the activation of markets for the Venezuelan migration, on the other hand, requires a banking sector, the sales of used automobiles, the rent reflection upon the return of Canaries who migrated to of housing etc. Venezuela half a century ago, and about the contempo- rary context of the aggressive politics of the Chavez A deeper analysis of migration into the Canary Islands government in the agrarian sphere. If we think of Mo- demands, first of all, that we open our horizons. This rocco, we cannot ignore the significance Saharaui poli- implies, on the one hand, an interdisciplinary approach tics of recognition and the repression exercised by the to search solutions for the challenges derived from army and the Moroccan police. Besides, African migra- those population movements, and on the other hand a tion is inseparable from the profound economic deterio- conceptual framework that ponders the solutions pro- ration that affects the Atlantic African coast vided by scholars and administrative experts of other regions affected by similar situations, but also at re- In the end, it is civil society that is to give satisfactory search carried out in origin countries. responses to the demands of immigration. And for that matter, civil society disposes of its own resources: as- Besides, it is needed that the local population, used to sociations of diverse kinds, religious confessions, hear about this phenomenon from an exclusively statis- 23 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 24. neighbourhood groups The effort seen so far in the affect the migrants, also in terms of the their psycho- Canary Islands by organizations tied to the Catholiclogical and emotional health. Church, such as Critas, or the effort developed by evangelic communities deserves special consideration. Only from those premises and the determination to But diligent and determinate action is needed to preventcome to terms with migration from a plural perspective xenophobic attitudes from taking hold among the popu- will it be feasible to overcome these problems, to turn lation attitudes which are more dangerous in times ofthe page on these issues and to find pragmatic solu- crisis- and so that the tendencies to form ghettoes dotions that make a difference in terms of an improvement not lead to irreversible situations.of the social and economic conditions of foreign collec- tives who reside in the Canary Islands, and in taking It is necessary that the migrants themselves work in thebetter advantage of the workforce that is at the service organizations of the receiving society and in those insti-of the prosperity for the Autonomous Community. tutional organs conceived for the very purpose of pro- viding attention to foreign population, for example, the Understanding the causes of crime services of intercultural mediation. A dangerously and irresponsibly diffused topic is of course that which associates migration and criminality, The efficiency of legal measures has been though it is true that there are some young migrants very limitedwho get involved in drug traffic as a means of survival, Certainly the legal framework is not satisfactory so far. and that there are women who resort to prostitution We may leave this wailing point aside, however, asoftentimes induced by exploiters that operate in the perpetual lament is good for nothing. Since 2002 Spainislands. The blindness of the superficial observer leads requires a tourist visa from Colombians who want to him to see just the effects and not the causes, which enter the country: even before that date a policy was are necessarily related with the dirty business of human started to regulate and order migratory flux through thetrafficking, particularly acute in countries like Brazil or program GRECO (Global Program for the RegulationColombia. and Coordination of Immigration and Foreigners; Pro- grama Global de Regulacin y Coordinacin de Extran-The full and successful integration of migrant population jera y la Inmigracin). The first bilateral agreement to in the social fabric of the Canaries archipelago requires this end was signed in Colombia on May 21st, 2001.improving the expectations of migrants regarding the The principal objectives of this agreement were the pre-access to employments which are adequate for their selection of workers in countries of origin, combined professional formation. Any true and sincere respect to with a system that provides information on employment their social rights demands the improvement of condi- offers, on how movement is organized, on the specialtions in which they work. provisions in the case of seasonal workers and on the guarantee of rights and labour conditions in the destina- In parallel, and without any solution in the long term, tion. The practical efficiency of this program has been,some aspects have to be confronted such as access to nevertheless, very limited. housing, health services and education -important axes around which the difficult and delicate process of incor- Despite this difficult setting, the associative movement poration if migrants into the receiving society occurs. in particular, that promoted by young people - can andHere we list, just as example, some pieces of the most must offer valid answers. Regarding the associationsobvious evidence but which are somehow usually si- promoted in the Canary Islands by foreign citizens, lenced: however, with some honorary exceptions, a lot remains to be done. A practically unexplored field is the psycho- countless immigrants find it difficult to rent a place to logical attention to the immigrant population, who often- live, because they do not find any sponsor; times suffer from Ulysses syndrome. The galloping the overcrowded condition in which many of them unemployment, the police raids to detain immigrants inlive is often dramatic; irregular conditions, the rejection that their condition of it is often forgotten that the majority of immigrants otherness occasionally provokes, are all factors that contribute to Social Security and, nevertheless, they hardly benefit form the Canary Island Health24 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 25. Service because they are young and they usually formulas of integration that not only guarantee the re- do not suffer from illnesses that require costlyspect to particularities, but that contribute to the mutual treatments. enrichment and look at multiculturalism from a perspec- tive that does not oversimplify its complexity. An appro- There is no doubt that there are important challenges priate intercultural approach starts from a definition of and exciting research horizons in the area of the politi- the inter-cultural space as one of complex and simulta- cal participation and access to citizenship for persons neous processes of cross-breeding and segregation, that come from other geographical regions and thatglobalization and localization, change and retention. nevertheless have already integrated into our society. The foreseeable access of non-European foreigners toTranslation by Luicy Pedrosa vote in local elections may set a path-breaking line in this regard. Manuel Ferrer Muoz is coordinator of the Centro One of the most important social and political chal-Europeo de Estudios sobre Flujos Migratorios, Canary lenges that the Canary Islands must confront, as aIslands. receiving territory of migrants, is the development of 25 DOSSIER Border Politics Migration in the Mediterranean 26. Johannes Krause Das Sterben an den EU-Auengrenzen Die Normalitt in der Anormalitt Jahr fr Jahr finden tausende MigrantInnen bei demund Normenstandards statt. Meine hier auszufhrende Versuch, die Auengrenzen der Europischen UnionThese ist, dass das EU-Grenzregime in einen Diskurs (EU) zu berwinden und unkontrolliert in die EU einzu-des Ausnahmezustands eingebettet ist, in dem die reisen, den Tod. Insbesondere die Seeberfahrt ber normalen ethischen Standards nicht mehr vollstndig Mittelmeer oder Atlantik berleben viele der afrikani-gelten. Im Folgenden mchte ich die Schritte dieser schen Armutsflchtlinge nicht. Die EU ist bemht, die diskursiven Verschiebung in Richtung Ausnahmezu- irregulre Einreise zu verhindern. Dazu verstrkt und stand nachzeichnen, durch die die militarisierte Grenz- militarisiert sie die berwachung der europischen undsicherung zur Bekmpfung der illegalen Immigration afrikanischen Ksten. Die MigrantInnen und die vonlegitimiert und das in seiner Konsequenz vielfach tdli- ihnen bezahlten Schleuser whlen daher immer riskan-che Grenzregime trotz seiner Abnormalitt akzeptabel tere Routen und die Zahl derjenigen, die die berfahrtgemacht wird. nicht berleben, steigt weiter. Die Schtzungen, wie viele Bootsflchtlinge jedes Jahr ertrinken, variieren Migration als Anomalie und als Problem betrchtlich, weil bei weitem nicht alle Krper von auf Das Migrieren als bersiedlung von einem Lebensort hoher See Ertrunkenen geborgen werden knnen. Es zum anderen war und ist schon immer eine weit ver- kann jedoch sicher davon ausgegangen werden, dass breitete Form menschlicher Existenz- und Lebenswei- beim Versuch der Einreise in die EU jedes Jahr mehre- se. Inter nationale Migration als problematisches Ph- re tausend Menschen ums Lebenkommen nomen konnte erst durch