“The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed to European Union (EU) citizens by the Treaties. It is realised through the area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders.” This EU legislation guarantees freedom for its citizens but for the same cannot be said for those outside the strict EU borders. Outside Fortress Europe, migrants endure extreme hardship, risking their lives to enter the EU.
In April around 900 Libyan migrants were drowned off the coast of Sicily in a desperate attempt to cross the EU border and escape the adversity they left behind. TheCity spoke to the journalist and PHD student, Roisin Boyd to discuss how such a tragedy occurred under EU legislation.
Please see below for definitions:
Asylum Seeker – Oxford Dictionary Definition – A person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another: ‘only asylum seekers who are granted refugee status are allowed to work in the country’
Refugee – Oxford Dictionary Definition – A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster: ‘tens of thousands of refugees fled their homes’
Migrant – Oxford Dictionary Definition – A person who moves from one place to another in order to find work or better living conditions.
For more information on this topic please click below:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/president-berates-eu-over-record-on-refugee-crisis-1.2191198
By Maira DeGois and Rachael Hussey