What’s in a name? ‘Refugees’, ‘migrants’ and the politics of labelling

Abstract

Through a critical examination of European immigration policy and using the case of Afghan asylum seekers in the European continent, this article argues that the politics of labelling and the criminalisation and securitisation of migration undermine the protection framework for the globally displaced. However, the issue goes deeper than state politicking to circumvent responsibilities under international law. The construction of migrants as victims at best, and as cultural and security threats at worst, particularly in the case of Muslim refugees, not only assists in their dehumanisation, it also legitimises actions taken against them through the perpetuation of a particular discourse on the European Self and the non-European Other. At one level, such a dynamic underscores the long-standing struggle of Europe to articulate its identity within the economic, demographic and cultural anxieties produced by the dynamics of globalisation. At another, these existing constructions, which hierarchise ‘worthiness’, are limited in their reflection of the complex realities that force people to seek refuge. Simultaneously, the labels, and the discourse of which they are part, make it possible for Europe to deny asylum claims and expedite deportations while being globally accepted as a human rights champion. This process also makes it possible for Europe to categorise turbulent contexts such as Afghanistan as a ‘safe country’, even at a time when the global refugee protection regime demands creative expansion. Ultimately, the politics of European migration policy illustrates the evolution of European Orientalist discourse – utilised in the past to legitimise colonisation and domination, now used to legitimise incarceration and deportation.

Hierarchies of deservingness and the limits of hospitality in the ‘refugee crisis’

“…Such a narrow understanding of the status of refugee reflects contemporary EU policies, which are discouraging granting of asylum to Afghans, especially during the context of the 'crisis' (Sajjad, 2018), as well as relevant media definitions of who counts as a refugee. As visibility of refugees in the media has been low, if non-existent, before 2015, the issue has been almost exclusively linked in public discourse to the Syrian civil war.…”

“…Afghans were constructed as immigrants, and by extension undeserving of hospitality, in most discussions, despite being the second refugee population in the world and the deteriorating security conditions in the country being acknowledged by UNHCR as grounds for driving people from their homes (UNHCR, 2018). Such a narrow understanding of the status of refugee reflects contemporary EU policies, which are discouraging granting of asylum to Afghans, especially during the context of the ‘crisis’ (Sajjad, 2018), as well as relevant media definitions of who counts as a refugee. As visibility of refugees in the media has been low, if non-existent, before 2015, the issue has been almost exclusively linked in public discourse to the Syrian civil war.…”

Biometrics as imperialism: age assessments of young asylum seekers in Denmark

“…19 In Europe, since 2015 Afghans have been one of the biggest groups to apply for asylum. 20 However, Afghans are increasingly met with the rejection of asylum claims, detention, abandonment and deportation. 21 The chances of getting asylum for Afghans in Europe have been lowered remarkably over recent years – from 68 per cent getting accepted in September 2015 to 33 per cent in December 2016.…”

Shaping of the Public Discourse on Refugees in Social Media: "Refugees Welcome Lithuania"

“…After the beginning of the Syrian civil war and a huge flow of refugees in Europe since 2011 most studies [14,15] confirmed that negative attitudes towards refugees has become a prominent feature in many Western countries, whereas refugees are condemned, demonized and considered as the main object of discrimination. Research shows that their identity remains highly differentiated and controversial, which is related to the politics of labelling [16]. Currently, refugees are not only the main focus of the media but also the main players, which means that their identity is closely linked to different forms of representation.…”